The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

The application submitted relates to the construction of a part three storey, part two storey, part single storey building to provide a new secondary school with associated sports facilities and floodlighting, external landscaping, car park, cycle store and access as well as replacement outdoor provision for a police dog training area and police horse paddocks.

The application site measured 4.3 hectares and comprised of a parcel of vacant land formerly used to accommodate a care home that has been demolished and the southern part of the site is currently used by Greater Manchester Police and provides an outdoor police dog training area, horse paddocks and 2 grass sports pitches.

The site is bounded to the north by Mauldeth Road West beyond which lies residential property on Mauldeth Road West, Chelsfield Grove and the junction of Withington Road and Mauldeth Road West. To the east lies the rest of the Greater Manchester Police compound known as The Hough End Centre, Broughton Park Rugby Club and Hough End Playing Fields. To the south west the site is bounded by the Metrolink Line with residential property beyond.

The proposed secondary school would eventually cater to 1200 pupils, aged 11-16, with 120 full time members of staff in a three storey (9424m2 floor space) new build facility.

The Planning Officer drew the Committee’s attention to the late representation that had been submitted regarding a question raised on the location of the school and the potential impact of Brexit on the need for additional school places. Reference was also made to the rewording of Condition 28, in the event that foxes were found to be on the development site.

There were no objectors to the application present at the meeting.

Councillor Shilton-Godwin attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on the application on behalf of Chorlton Park ward councillors. Reference was made to concerns raised on the site of the proposed high school and the travel arrangements of pupils to get to the school and the other high schools located in the area. This would result in a high number of journeys each day by pupils to and from the school. TheChorlton Park ward councillors welcomed the building of a new school and were satisfied with planning officer responses to the concerns they had raised. The committee was informed that the ward councillors would continue to work with officers on the application.

The applicant’s representative was present at the meeting and addressed the Committee on the proposed development.

The Chair invited members to ask questions and comment on the application.

A member referred to the travel plan arrangements proposed and asked for clarification of the number of drop off bays proposed and the controls to be introduced to prevent and discourage drop off on Mauldeth Road West.

The planning officer reported that there were 24 drop off bays proposed and there would be a further 18 visitor and additional mini bus spaces that could also be used for drop offs. A programme of traffic controls and other measures would be introduced on Mauldeth Road West, including traffic regulation orders, to prevent and discourage vehicles from stopping on the road and mounting the pavement. In addition, a shared pedestrian cycleway would be introduced to the south of Mauldeth Road West between Princess Road and the Metrolink bridge.

Decision

The Committee approve the application, subject to the conditions and reasons set out in the report and supplementary information submitted.

[Councillor Flanagan was not present for the consideration and when the vote on this application took place.]