The site is zoned as OOLTI (Other Open Land of Townscape Importance). Under LBRuT’s Core Strategy DM OS 3 development should be “in tune with its setting” and the land should be “protected and enhanced in open use”.
This site has been a playing field site for decades, and apart from the sports hall, the three single-storey flat roofed classrooms are unobtrusive. Most of the site is open grass, with a good number of trees on the boundaries to the south and east. The school are seeking to change the site from an ancillary playing field site with classrooms to a stand-alone school. Their proposals would lead to:
- An enormous two storey light industrial style building with double the floor area of the existing buildings and at least double the mass of the existing buildings
- A building with size and style is completely inconsistent with the locality
- Loss of the existing pavilion which blends in well in style, allowing a view through to the houses beyond, with similar materials and roof size. The new building would be three times the size of the existing pavilion, would block the view of the houses behind (8m high roof), and would become the principal focus from Carlisle Park and neighbouring properties.
- Introduction of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA). We would expect the MUGA fencing to be 2m or even 3m high, with floodlighting
We are concerned about the impact the loss of grassland will have on local wildlife, and also the impact of the buildings and artificial surfaces on the trees, particularly those on the southern side which are large mature trees. They are close to the Wensleydale Gardens houses and would be even closer to the proposed building, the MUGA pitches and the construction work; so far as we are aware they are not subject to Tree Protection Orders.
Policy DM OS 3 states that in land which is zoned as OOLTI, development should only be:
“a replacement or minor extension of existing build facilities’ and
“not harm the character and openness of the open land”
The proposed development is inconsistent with both these requirements. There is also the question of whether the loss of open space should be referred to the Secretary of State under Circular 07/99.