Classroom dome at Winchester Road, Wickham

What was proposed

The application proposed a classroom dome with two toilet pods for the existing kindergarten, using an olive-green PVC-covered frame and no changes to access.

“The proposal seeks to construct a classroom dome with two toilet pods centrally within the site. The dome measures 5 metres at its tallest point. The dome uses a geodisc frame with PVC covers finished in Olive green. The external surfaces of the dome are protected to reduce corrosion and UV damage by fading to produce a consistent appearance. The two toilets utilise non-mins drainage with a septic bag system.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a paddock beside a Grade II* listed building, outside Wickham’s settlement boundary, with homes, mature trees and a polytunnel nearby.

“The site comprises a paddock on the approach to Park Place Pastoral Centre, a grade II* listed building although they are not viewed within the same context. This accommodates in part the Kids Love Nature Kindergarten who use the paddock as part of their offering. The site area is approximately 184 sqm. A polytunnel is located at the Eastern end of the paddock also used by the nursery.”

“The site sits just outside the Northern edge of the Wickham settlement boundary. A number of residential dwellings sit on the other side of the Northen boundary and also within Cold Harbour Close to the South. The northern boundary is densely wooded with mature trees and vegetation. The trees along this Northern boundary are subject to a tree preservation order. The Southern boundary is defined by a low wooden fence with the access track and mature trees beyond.”

Officer report

Earlier application

A previous application retained the polytunnel on the paddock and was granted permission in May 2025.

“The below relates specifically to the paddock (the proposal site).”

“25/00591/FUL – Retention of polytunnel granted 27th May 2025.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Permission was recommended because the dome was considered suitable for the area, would protect neighbouring amenity and would not harm nearby heritage assets.

“The development is recommended for permission as it is considered that it will have a positive impact on the character of the area in accordance with Policies DM15 and DM16 of the LPP2 and D1 of the Emerging Plan and would not harm neighbouring residential amenity in accordance with policy DM17 of the LPP2 and D7 of the Emerging Plan and does not harm nearby heritage assets in accordance with policy CP20 of LPP1, DM29 of LPP2 and HE1, HE2, HE3 and HE8 of the Emerging Plan.”

Officer report

Main planning effects

The assessment found limited effects on landscape, the listed building, neighbours, traffic, biodiversity, trees and drainage.

“Park Place Pastoral Centre is a Garde II* listed building which sits approximately 153 metres to the West of the proposal site. The paddock where the classroom is to be located sits alongside the access road to this building. The following legislation and policies are taken into account in the assessment and determination of this planning and listed building application.”

“The building is a Grade II* C18 mansion house with C19 wings. Whilst the proposal site is within the grounds of the listed building it does not form part of its immediate setting. There is a degree of separation between the site and the listed building owing to the distance between the two and intermittant screening provided by mature trees and hedges. The listed building is first glimpsed within the more rural context once the paddock site has been passed.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health raised no adverse comments, considering the additional classroom unlikely to noticeably affect nearby residents.

“Service Lead – Public Protection (Environmental Health) – • No adverse comments. the site has been used by the kindergarten for two years and I therefore do not consider that the addition of an extra classroom will have a noticeable impact on nearby residents.”

Officer report

Public views

The parish council and two objectors raised concerns about height, overbearing effects and missing technical information; eight people supported the proposal.

“Wickham and Knowle Parish Council wishes to object to this application based on the following reasons: Excessive height and scale The proposed dome (approximately 5m high) is unsuitable for the surroundings and excessively tall for a classroom in this setting and the application lacks justification for that height. Such a structure is likely to be overbearing, intrusive and harmful to neighbours’ light, outlook and privacy.”

“Objecting Representations received from different addresses citing the following material planning reasons: • The proposed dome is tall and overbearing on neighbouring properties. • Impacts the character of the drive leading to the listed building.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker objected, two speakers supported the application, and a parish council representative objected and answered members’ questions.

Members’ debate

Members asked questions and debated the application.

“The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission with the report’s conditions and informatives, adding a condition restricting the dome to use with the existing kindergarten.

“RESOLVED The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report and the update subject to an additional condition requiring the classroom dome to be only used in connection with the existing kindergarten, with the precise wording delegated to officers in consultation with the Chair.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The permission included requirements for approved plans, materials, tree protection, ecological measures, biodiversity gain and habitat management.

“(i) a biodiversity gain plan has been submitted to the planning authority; and (ii) The planning authority has approved the plan. In making an application to discharge the biodiversity gain condition the following information shall be provided: (a) information about the steps taken or to be taken to minimise the adverse effect of the development on the biodiversity of the onsite habitat and any other habitat;”

“The development shall not commence until a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (the HMMP), has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority (LPA). The HMMP shall include the following details: (a) the roles and responsibilities of the people or organisation(s) delivering the HMMP; (b) any necessary legal mechanism or covenant for securing the monitoring over the relevant period; (c) the planned habitat creation and enhancement works to…”

Officer report