Nursery outbuilding at Windlesham Hub Field Of Remembrance, Windlesham

What was proposed

The application sought a single-storey timber outbuilding providing 12 additional nursery places and childcare, play, learning and sleeping spaces.

“Planning permission is sought for erection of a single-storey timber outbuilding to support the existing Rainbow Corner Windlesham Nursery School.”

“The proposed building will provide 12 additional nursery accommodation spaces to meet growing demand for early years education within the local community. The current nursery within the main pavilion operates at full capacity with there being 36 children with ages ranging from 0 - 4 years of age. The aim is to increase availability for 3 additional places for 0–2-year-olds, 4 new spaces for 2–3-year-olds and 5 spaces for 3- 5-year-olds.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site forms part of a recreational park within the Green Belt, with a community building, car park, playing fields, woodland and a nearby conservation area.

“The application site is located on the eastern side of Kennel Lane and forms part of Windlesham Field of Remembrance (a local recreational park). The park provides a children's play area to the north eastern corner, a number of playing fields to the north west, with the car park, pavilion and two store sheds to the south. A war memorial is currently…”

“The site is located within the Green Belt, with the western corner of the site including part of the car park, falling within Updown Hill Conservation Area.”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

Earlier permissions approved the community and sports pavilion, later varied its opening hours and made further changes to access, landscaping and play areas.

“16/0077 Application for a Variation of Condition 9 (hours of opening) of permission ref 15/0421 (for the construction of a new multi-purpose community and sports pavilion.) Condition 9 to be varied from 0830 hrs to 2100 hrs to 0730 hrs to 2400 hours. Refused as it had not been demonstrated whether the extended hours would result in an increase in noise and disturbance prejudicial to the residential amenity of nearby occupiers.”

“18/0151 Application for a variation of condition 16 of permission 16/0973 to allow for a change in the approved drawings to provide a covered porch and ramped access, and an increase in the eaves height (of 150mm) to the single storey multi purpose community and sports pavilion approved under permission 15/0421 and as amended by permission 16/0973 (which approved extended opening to 2200hrs). Approved, 2018.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, wildlife, early-years, arboricultural and environmental consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while the parish council objected on community, parking, land-use and ecological grounds.

“County Highways Authority No objections are raised regarding highway safety and capacity or on parking grounds. Conditions are recommended for buggy store and an Operational Management Plan…”

“Field of Remembrance and Community Hub recognised as valued community assets; support for funding and nursery provision acknowledged • Concerns raised regarding lack of background information in application (site held in trust; Hub subject to existing planning conditions) • Inconsistency between “temporary cabin” (consultation material) and “permanent building” (planning application) • Lack of clarity on duration and nature of permission sought • Proposed building to be…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two people spoke against the application, while the applicant and another speaker spoke in favour; members then asked questions about land, parking, ownership, staffing, demand and security.

The committee vote

The officer recommendation to grant permission subject to conditions was proposed, seconded and carried, with ten councillors voting for and one against.

“The Officer recommendation to grant the application, subject to conditions was proposed by Councillor Cliff Betton and seconded by Councillor Jonathan Quin, put to the vote and carried.”

“Note 2: Councillor Valerie White declared she knew Pat Lewis as a fellow Councillor on Windermere Parish Council. Note 3: In accordance with Part 4, Section D, Paragraph 18 of the Constitution, the voting for the officer’s recommendation to grant the application, subject to conditions was as follows: Voting For: Councillors Jonny Cope, Mary Glauert, Helen Whitcroft, Dave Hough, David O’Mahoney, Cliff Betton, Jonathan Quin, David Whitcroft, Valerie White and Shaun Macdonald.”

Minutes

The final decision

The application was approved subject to the conditions in the officer report and planning updates report.

“RESOLVED that application 25/1127/FFU be approved, subject to the conditions contained in the Officer report and Planning Updates report. Note 1: Councillor Victoria Wheeler declared that she was a regular visitor to the Remembrance Field and knows the Windlesham Field of Remembrance charity.”

Minutes