Planning Applications PDF 1 MB - Meetings, agendas and minutes

dioceses to discourage free use of the centre by parish groups, the applicants stating
that the current facility is used very little by the parish community (its predominant
purpose) and that the existing school hall facilities are actually used for a number of
these activities at present, which also demonstrates that the proposed location and
facilities are better suited to the needs of the parish than the existing Fatima Centre.
The relocation and refurbishment of the existing school hall would also improve the
standard of facilities available for use by the wider local community.
3.10 At present the existing Fatima Parish Centre is located on India Way to the north
of the White City Community Centre. Both these facilities provide space for local
community groups to hold events and activities. The Fatima Parish Centre was, until its
recent closure, used by the local community for events including a computer group, a
youth group, dominos, kung fu, zumba, Irish dancing and by the Church of Grace, a
church group unrelated to the parish. On completion of the proposed development the
Fatima Parish Centre facilities would be provided in the previous school hall and
adjacent areas. These areas would be remodelled internally and fully refurbished to
provide up to date facilities which better meet the needs of the parish and local
community. During the construction period the school have agreed to assist local
community groups by allowing use of the existing school facilities, wherever possible, as
an alternative temporary solution until the new Fatima Parish Centre facilities are
completed. It is also possible that existing users of the centre would seek to relocate to
other nearby facilities, including the adjacent White City Community Centre. The
applicants have stated that to date none of the former users of the Fatima Parish Centre
have sought their assistance to relocate their activities following the closure of the
existing Centre. It is intended that the use of the relocated Fatima Parish Centre would
be maximised, with parish and other local community groups being encouraged to make
effective use of the refurbished space. The dioceses intend to publicise the new
facilities local and to welcome applications for use from any group, including users of
the former Fatima Parish Centre. It is therefore considered that the relocation of the
Fatima Parish Centre would provide improved community facilities and would be in line
with the aims of Borough Wide Strategic Policy CF1 of the Core Strategy and policy DM
D1 of the Development Management Local Plan.
3.11 The existing school currently also provides accommodation for local community
use outside normal school hours. At present it is used by a breakfast club, after school
clubs, for parish activities and by QPR Football Club. It is intended that the new facilities
proposed in this application would allow the school to better provide facilities for
community use, and as such the building has been specifically designed to facilitate out
of hours use. The new school building would provide a single court internal sports
facility, meeting rooms and ICT for school controlled occasional pre-planned community
use outside of the school day. The school intend to provide learning programmes for
parents and the local community, both within and beyond the school day, and services
before and after the school day to assist with childcare. The use of the school by the
local community would be controlled by a suggested condition (condition 6).
3.12 It is noted that the southernmost strip of the school playground and the treed open
space to the south east of the school is the designated nature conservation area and
open space known as `White City Community Garden'. The designated area also
incorporates the Hammersmith North Area Housing Office building. Policy DM E1 of the
Development Management Local Plan seeks to reduce open space deficiency and to
improve the quality of, and access to, existing open spaces. Policy DM E3 of the
Development Management Local Plan seeks to protect nature conservation areas from