Planning Applications PDF 1 MB - Meetings, agendas and minutes

Fatima Parish Centre and would also infill some single storey areas in comparison with
the existing building on its northern and western sides. The building would be similarly
positioned and generally only slightly higher than the existing structure. For these
reasons, it is not considered that outlook of residents to the west and north would be
materially compromised.
Privacy
3.30 In terms of privacy, SPD Housing Policy 8 of the Planning Guidance
Supplementary Planning Document states that new windows should normally be
positioned so that the distance to any residential windows is not less than 18 metres as
measured by an arc of 60 degrees taken from the centre of the proposed new window.
The proposed windows in the northern elevation facing Havelock Close would comply
with this standard as they would be a minimum of 18m away from the nearest
residential windows. Similarly the windows facing the first floor sat within the school site
would be a minimum of 24m from the closest proposed first floor window in the new
building and would therefore comply with this standard. The proposed windows on the
western elevation facing Malabar Court would, however, not meet this standard, falling
short, at the closest point, by 3m. It is noted, however, that the existing Fatima Parish
Centre has ground and first floor windows facing Malabar Court in similar positions to
those proposed in the replacement building, and that the southernmost part of the
building would only have ground floor windows which would be set back beneath the
first floor overhang. These existing windows at Malabar Court face onto the street, and
would still be set a good distance away, across the highway. It is considered that the
relationship between the windows in the proposed school building and Malabar Court
would thereby not result in overlooking to the detriment of the privacy of residential
occupiers at that property.
Noise/disturbance
3.31 In terms of the use of the buildings and their impact on residential properties it is
acknowledged that there would be increased activity on the site as a result of the
increase in numbers of pupils, especially at the beginning and end of each school day.
Currently a maximum total of 300 pupils use the playgrounds at any one time.
Following the development play times would be staggered, limiting a maximum number
of 240 pupils outside at any one time in order to limit the impact of the additional
numbers of children using the playgrounds. The existing playspace opposite Malabar
Court would no longer be for older pupils and noisy play but would be redesigned as an
Early Years Foundation Stage pupils learning space, involving quieter activities than is
currently the case. A School Management Plan would be required by condition
(condition 16) which would detail the numbers using the external play areas, the number
and times of recreation times as well as other issues such as the staffing at the school
gates to control the potential for noise and disturbance.
3.32 In order to protect the existing residential amenities of surrounding occupants in
respect of the potential noise and disturbance arising from within the building, conditions
are proposed to control noise output from activities and plant/equipment as well as
nuisance from kitchen odours and any external lighting, to ensure that the proposal
accords with Development Management Local Plan policies DM H9, DM H10 and DM
H11 (conditions 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25).