Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Planning

Consideration was given to planning application 6/2019/0564 for the construction of single storey, lean to extension to provide an outdoor classroom at Winfrith Newburgh C of E Primary School, School Lane, Winfrith Newburgh. The Committee were informed of the need for the facility - so that pupils could benefit from a space for flexible and adaptable working - and were being asked to approve this in accordance with the officer’s recommendation and on the grounds that, as it was a Council application, a Committee decision was required for openness and transparency purposes.

With the aid of a visual presentation, officers explained what the main proposals and planning issues of the development entailed; how these were to be achieved; and particularly, the reasoning for the new facility, which was being proposed as a means of benefitting what the school had to offer.

Plans and photographs provided an illustration of the location, dimensions

design and appearance of the classroom; the materials to be used; how the enhancements would look and their setting; showed the development’s relationship with the characteristics of the other school buildings; and where the school was situated within the town and its setting in the Dorset AONB.

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The Committee were informed of what consultation had taken place and what

responses had been received. No formal objections had been received to this with, in particular, neither Winfrith Newburgh Parish Council or the two local Ward members, raising any objections to the proposal.

Given this it was officer’s view that the planning permission should be granted as:

·       the proposal was acceptable in its design and general visual impact.

·       there was not considered to be any significant harm to neighbouring

residential amenity, and

·       there were no material considerations which would warrant refusal.

Whilst situated within the Dorset AONB, given the very modest scale of the proposal and the materials to be used, the structure was not considered to be visually dominant in wider views of the area.

During consideration of the application, the Committee had the opportunity to ask questions of the officer’s presentation, with clarification being provided in respect of the points raised. It was confirmed that the roofing of the extension would be slightly pitched.

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application, having

understood what was being proposed and the reasoning for this; having taken

into account the officer’s report and what they had heard at the meeting,

the Committee were satisfied in their understanding of what the proposal was

designed to achieve, considering it to be an asset for the school and, on that basis – and on being put to the vote – the Committee considered that the application should be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the officer’s report

Resolved

That planning permission for application 6/2019/0564 for an outdoor classroom at Winfrith Newburgh C of E Primary School, School Lane, Winfrith Newburgh be granted, subject to the conditions set out in paragraph 12 of the officer’s report.

Reasons for decision

1)The proposal was acceptable in its design and general visual impact.

2) There was not considered to be any significant harm to neighbouring

residential amenity.

3)There were no material considerations which would warrant refusal of this

Application.