Agenda item

Demolition of existing school buildings and replacement with playing fields and landscaping

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer with regards to an application for the Demolition of existing school buildings and replacement with playing fields and landscaping at Woodham Academy Washington Crescent Newton Aycliffe (for copy see file of minutes).

C Shields, Senior Planning Officer, advised that approval had been given for the new Academy building in February however at the time the demolition couldn’t be determined as there was insufficient information regarding bats.  The survey had since been completed and mitigation was included and had been conditioned.

The Senior Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation of the application which included a site location plan, aerial photograph, site layout, site photographs of existing buildings, and plans and elevations the new school building.  He advised that only one objection had been received which related to school traffic however this had already been addressed as part of the new build application.

In response to a query from Councillor Roberts, the Senior Planning Officer advised that a condition had been attached to the previous application to Travel Plan

Councillor Wilson referred to the importance of the application to move on with construction of the new building and the need across the County for the facilities that the new school would provide.  He moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Bell.

Councillor Elmer queried whether the Applicant had proposed a strategy to manage impact on the bat roost and the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that prior to discovery of the roost, the application had included mitigation for bats, however there had been subsequent additions for a new bat roost which would be positioned to draw out the roost in advance of demolition works, and the Applicant was required to obtain a protected species licence.

Resolved

That the recommendation be APPROVED subject to the conditions outlined in the report.