Agenda item
Units 24, 26, 28, 30 & 32, Mastmaker Road, London, E14 9UB (PA/13/00116)
Decision:
Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed left the meeting before the consideration of this item (8:30pm).
Update report tabled.
Councillor Anwar Khan proposed restrictions on the pupil numbers for the development and opening hours of the social enterprise uses. The amendments were seconded by Councillor Shiria Khatun and agreed by the committee on a vote of 4 in favour and 0 against.
On a vote of 4 in favour and 0 against , the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission for Units 24, 26, 28, 30 & 32, Mastmaker Road, London, E14 9UB (PA/13/00116) be GRANTED for change of use of existing light industrial units (Use Class B1) (numbers 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32) to a secondary school (Use Class D1) offering vocational courses for 14-19 year olds.
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated authority to recommend the conditions and informatives in relation to the matters set out in the report and update Subject to the following amendments agreed by the Committee
Pupils numbers.
· That the maximum pupil numbers at any one time be restricted to 150.
· That the overall pupil capacity be restricted to 280 pupils.
Social enterprise units.
· That the opening hours of the units be restricted to 10am to 6pm.
Minutes:
Update report tabled.
Councillor Khales Uddin Ahmed left the meeting before the consideration of this item (8:30pm).
Jerry Bell (Applications Team Leader) introduced the report regarding Units 24, 26, 28, 30 & 32, Mastmaker Road, London, E14 9UB (PA/13/00116) for change of use for a secondary school.
Mary O'Shaughnessy (Planning Officer) presented the detailed report and the update. She explained the site location and the scope and outcome of the consultation. She addressed the key concerns raised about increased anti- social behaviour (asb) and noise. She described the aims of the school to help young people to return to education and find employment. It was intended that the applicant would relocate from their existing school site to this new site if approved.
She explained the key aspects of the proposal and the nature of the vocational training and social enterprise. Such uses would be ancillary uses to the school. It was planned to secure a Student Management Plan regarding student movement around the site that would be secured by condition.
Officers displayed figures on predicted school trips. This was based on similar schools elsewhere. This showed that the vast majority of journeys should be on foot and during off peak hours. Staff would also be in attendance to supervise arrivals and exits. There would also be designated walkways to ensure timely and safe arrivals. Therefore, the impact on the highway and disruption to the area should be minimal.
In summary, the plans sought to provide much needed schools places in the Borough with minimal impacts. Officers were recommending that the application should be granted.
In response, Members raised the following issues/concerns:
- Concerns around increased asb at the site, especially in the evening given the crime rates.
- Increased asb due to the 11pm closing time for the social enterprises.
- The plans for supervising pupils around the site. Members questioned the practicalities and enforceability of these plans given the pupil teacher ration.
- The impact on the transport network, including buses, that was already at full capacity.
- The impact on the highway from school drops offs/pick ups.
- The levels of consultation by the applicant.
In response, Officers addressed each question highlighting the following. A public consultation event was held at the site by the applicant at the pre-application stage along with separate consultation with the existing occupants and residents. There was a lack of evidence linking the proposed use to asb. It was hoped that the plans would improve safety in the area and reduce crime by regenerating the area and providing a natural surveillance.
It was confirmed that the maximum capacity of the school was 302 pupils based on consultation with TfL. As a result, TfL had no objections to the development due to this maximum capacity and the expected journey times. They considered that it should not have an adverse impact on the highway.
Officers were confident that the plans for supervising pupils could be implemented given the group sizes (around10-15) and the staggered teaching times. There would also be limited movements between buildings.
The site had good transport links including a number of bus routes and a nearby DLR station. There was a presumption in favour of school developments in national planning policy. Therefore the application was supported by policy.
With the permission of the Chair, a representative of the applicant briefly addressed the committee to answer points of clarification. He briefly explained the aim of the social enterprise units. The applicant was willing to reduce the social enterprise uses hours. He highlighted the demand for the school places and the applicant’s objectives in respect of pupil capacity at the new school.
Councillor Anwar Khan proposed restrictions on the pupil numbers and opening hours of the social enterprises in view of the concerns raised by Members. The amendments were seconded by Councillor Shiria Khatun and agreed by the committee on a vote of 4 in favour and 0 against.
On a vote of 4 in favour and 0 against, the Committee RESOLVED:
1. That planning permission for Units 24, 26, 28, 30 & 32, Mastmaker Road, London, E14 9UB (PA/13/00116) be GRANTED for change of use of existing light industrial units (Use Class B1) (numbers 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32) to a secondary school (Use Class D1) offering vocational courses for 14-19 year olds.
2. That the Corporate Director Development & Renewal is delegated authority to recommend the conditions and informatives in relation to the matters set out in the report and update Subject to the following amendments agreed by the Committee
Pupils numbers.
· That the maximum pupil numbers at any one time be restricted to 150.
· That the overall pupil capacity be restricted to 280 pupils.
Social enterprise units.
· That the opening hours of the units be restricted to 10am to 6pm.
Supporting documents:
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PA_13_00116 - Mastmaker - FINAL COMT REPORT_MAS agenda (3), item 7.2
PDF 177 KB
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PA_13_00116 Committee report Map, item 7.2
PDF 915 KB