On a unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED

(1)    That planning permission be GRANTED at Harpley School, 110 Globe Road, London, E1 4DZ, for the erection of a new sports hall and associated storage located to the north east of the site adjoining Tollet Street; construction of new six bay car park with new entrance from Tollet Street; refurbishment of existing building to include introduction of full height light well; provision of additional bicycle parking and new landscaping; installation of external seating at ground floor level facing Massingham Street, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.

(2)    That Conservation Area consent be GRANTED at Harpley School, 110 Globe Road, London, E1 4DZ, for the demolition of the boundary wall to Tollet Street, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.

(3)    That the Head of Development Decisions be delegated power to impose the conditions and informatives on the planning permission and Conservation Area consent set out above to secure the matters listed in the report.

Mr O. Whalley, Service Head Major Projects, presented details of the site and proposal for the erection of a sports hall and other works at Harpley School, 110 Globe Road, London, E1 4DZ.

Mr Julian Cheyne, a local resident, spoke in objection to the scheme and commented that:

·        Residents had already experienced severe behavioural problems with children from the school and were very concerned at how the addition of the sports hall would impact on their lives. This was not just a management issue but concerned the use of exits. The school had agreed there were serious problems with the Tollet Street entrance and had said it would not now be used in the afternoon as an exit because of the problems with the children’s behaviour in the street but this was only a temporary solution. A long term solution to the entrance/exit needed to be found. There were alternative entrances off Massingham Street but the applicants had misstated which entrances were available.

·        The scheme would have a seriously negative impact on street parking, which could be avoided by adopting alternative plans for the new parking area and the entrance. There was also some confusion over how delivery entrances would be used and their impact on parking. The proposed Tollet Street car park would have a negative visual impact on the Carlton Square Conservation Area. The Headmaster had also stated that he actually preferred the car park to be located off Globe Road.

·        It was unnecessary to build the sports hall in a time of austerity, as the school was small and already had adequate facilities, some of which were underused. The scheme would be adding a fitness suite and a garden as an outdoor play area. Outdoors play was healthier.

·        Contrary to what the applicants said, the school’s facilities were not used by local residents and there were no concrete plans to alter this.

·        The design of the sports hall was inappropriate to the fine school building and the Conservation Area. The school had already put up one inappropriate extension.

·        The Headmaster had said he did not want the sports hall put on the Tollet Street side of the school and he had proposed putting the hall on the Globe Road frontage. There had to be a balance between the needs of the school and the concerns of residents, but the applicants had not paid attention to residents’ objections.

Ms A. Canning, Service Head Learning & Development, stated that the school addressed the needs of some of the most very vulnerable children in the Borough and the plans for the school would give access to the full curriculum to prepare children for the future. Students there had experienced difficulties with mainstream education and the school would give them back self respect, with valuable opportunities for the future and an education suitable for the 21^st century. The premises would be media rich with ICT facilities. Sympathetic internal and external landscaping would help them form positive relationships. The plans included improved facilities for evening use as a youth club. Members had to consider how the proposals would affect the young people and make a real difference in providing positive life opportunities.

Ms I. Robertson, Applications Manager, gave a detailed presentation of the proposals, as contained in the circulated report and commented that parking, design and amenity were key issues that had been addressed.  She referred to points raised by local people on these matters as also included in the report, adding that the scheme was a high quality design for an improved learning environment.

Members then put forward questions that were answered by Planning Officers, relating to the expected number of pupils at the school; the use of the sports hall by local people in the evenings; staff car parking needs and management of the hall during evening use.

On a unanimous vote, the Committee RESOLVED

(1)    That planning permission be GRANTED at Harpley School, 110 Globe Road, London, E1 4DZ, for the erection of a new sports hall and associated storage located to the north east of the site adjoining Tollet Street; construction of new six bay car park with new entrance from Tollet Street; refurbishment of existing building to include introduction of full height light well; provision of additional bicycle parking and new landscaping; installation of external seating at ground floor level facing Massingham Street, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.

(2)    That Conservation Area consent be GRANTED at Harpley School, 110 Globe Road, London, E1 4DZ, for the demolition of the boundary wall to Tollet Street, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.

(3)    That the Head of Development Decisions be delegated power to impose the conditions and informatives on the planning permission and Conservation Area consent set out above to secure the matters listed in the report.