On 20th December the Planning Committee accepted the Planning Officer's recommendation and refused this application on traffic grounds. It was close vote, with 5 in favour and 4 against. The meeting room was full, with excellent attendance from neighbours opposed to the application.
The Planning Officer summarised the reasons for recommending refusal of the scheme. Two speakers from DNA and a neighbour from Gloucester Road stated neighbours’ reasons for objection, on traffic and several other grounds. The School’s architect re-described the scheme, and the School’s headmaster gave reasons for having to redevelop the site. It then took nearly 90 minutes for the Committee to reach their conclusion. There was disagreement about the strength of evidence supporting the Planning Officer’s conclusions on traffic, and the validity of traffic forecasts. DNA members present were very concerned that some councillors did not seem to think that the existence of traffic problems was established, and also did not seem aware of the evidence set out in our objections.
A key point which emerged was that the Council had suggested that the School might re-submit with numbers fixed at the current 144, then postpone expansion in numbers until such time as their traffic plan was properly validated. The School had declined this opportunity. A further key point was that the Traffic Officer, in response to repeated questioning, confirmed that any condition limiting future numbers, attached to a decision to accept the application, would not be legally binding.
DNA members were very disappointed that the committee did not accept our case that permission should be refused for non-traffic reasons, including harm to open land, size of building, and noise and disturbance. DNA will endeavour to continue to promote neighbours opinion on these issues.
The next move is with the school, which may appeal or re-apply. When we have more news, we will let you know. The issue may not be settled yet but on Thursday we got the right result, in no small way thanks to the combined strength of neighbours’ support!
The Planning Officer summarised the reasons for recommending refusal of the scheme. Two speakers from DNA and a neighbour from Gloucester Road stated neighbours’ reasons for objection, on traffic and several other grounds. The School’s architect re-described the scheme, and the School’s headmaster gave reasons for having to redevelop the site. It then took nearly 90 minutes for the Committee to reach their conclusion. There was disagreement about the strength of evidence supporting the Planning Officer’s conclusions on traffic, and the validity of traffic forecasts. DNA members present were very concerned that some councillors did not seem to think that the existence of traffic problems was established, and also did not seem aware of the evidence set out in our objections.
A key point which emerged was that the Council had suggested that the School might re-submit with numbers fixed at the current 144, then postpone expansion in numbers until such time as their traffic plan was properly validated. The School had declined this opportunity. A further key point was that the Traffic Officer, in response to repeated questioning, confirmed that any condition limiting future numbers, attached to a decision to accept the application, would not be legally binding.
DNA members were very disappointed that the committee did not accept our case that permission should be refused for non-traffic reasons, including harm to open land, size of building, and noise and disturbance. DNA will endeavour to continue to promote neighbours opinion on these issues.
The next move is with the school, which may appeal or re-apply. When we have more news, we will let you know. The issue may not be settled yet but on Thursday we got the right result, in no small way thanks to the combined strength of neighbours’ support!