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Lewes and Eastbourne
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Agenda item

Cavendish School, Eldon Road. Application ID: 150534 (CCC).

Minutes:

East Sussex County Council Re-Consultation to Cavendish School – OLD TOWN.

 

The committee was advised that since the application was last considered by the Planning Committee in November 2014 the applicant had carried out further traffic analysis including survey work in Eldon Road, Willingdon Road and Cobbold Avenue.  The amendments to the scheme were detailed within the report.

 

It was accepted and acknowledged that there was an identified need for this accommodation within Eastbourne and it was accepted that East Sussex County Council had undertaken a thorough audit of available/potential sites to meet/mitigate this need. In was considered that this site was the only one available and deliverable within the time frames required.

 

The relevant planning history for the site was detailed within the report.

 

An additional response to officers’ questions was provided by the applicants and reported at the meeting.   The questions related to:

  • The internal roadway, it’s potential to cause loss of amenity to the houses that abut the site, and how this impact would be mitigated.
  • Further clarity over on the location and extent of the proposed cycle storage was sought.
  • During pick up and drop off times how one-way access would be retained.
  • Further detailed drawings for a pedestrian controlled crossing outside of the school in Eldon Road were requested.
  • The controls that were being imposed over the non-school use of the MUGA
  • Clarification regarding the use of floodlights.

 

Mr Askew, Chairman of the Board of Governors, addressed the committee in support stating that there had already been an uptake for the reception class with over 800 Facebook followers in support of the proposals.  The new school would provide better facilities for all students.  The traffic issues had been resolved by relocating the entrance.

 

Mr Hambrook, East Sussex County Council, addressed the committee stating that there was a need for additional school places, with an increase in school age children in the vicinity of the school.  The previous highways concerns had been addressed with the ‘kiss and drop’ being relocated on-site and the travel plan indicated that less than 50% of school children would arrive by car.  Screening would be provided for properties adjoining the site.

 

Councillor Ungar, Ward Councillor, addressed the committee in objection stating that the proposal was an overdevelopment which was of poor architectural merit.  Councillor Ungar felt that the site was already fully utilised, with additional school places required in other areas of the town.  Concern was also expressed regarding the potential for flood lighting at the MUGA, access from Cobbold Avenue, the increase in traffic in the vicinity of the school and access to the disabled parking provided on-site.

 

The committee expressed concern regarding the loss of open space, current traffic issues and the impact of additional traffic in the surrounding area and safety issues for the pupils with increased traffic at the site.  The committee felt that whilst the new scheme was an improvement the traffic issues were just being transferred from Eldon Road to Cobbold Avenue.

 

The committee requested that consideration be given to the addition of a pelican crossing and reduction in the speed limit in Eldon Road.  The Chairman requested that the frontage of the school fabric be softened by using a mixture of building materials.  The Senior Specialist Advisor (Planning) agreed to report the committee’s comments to East Sussex County Council and agreed to update the Chairman on the outcome of the application following its consideration by the East Sussex County Council’s Planning committee.

 

NB: Councillor Taylor withdrew from the room whilst this application was considered.  Councillor Ungar addressed the committee from the floor and withdrew from the room whilst the item was considered.

 

RESOLVED: That East Sussex County Council be advised that Eastbourne Borough Council did not object in principle to the provision of additional school places at the site but retained areas of concern in relation to highway capacity, highway safety and design and appearance of the building and requested that East Sussex County Council use their best endeavours to provide a Pelican Crossing (or similar) in Eldon Road and also introduce of a 20MPH speed limit on the roads in and around the school.

 

Supporting documents: