New primary school in ‘green wedge’ is set to gain approval
COUNCILLORS are expected to give the go-ahead for a new 354-place primary school to serve a new housing development between Alvaston and Chellaston.
The go-ahead for the Snelsmoor Lane housing estate was given in November 2019 and Derby City Council has applied to its own planning department for permission to build the primary school on the former Manor Farm site, off Field Lane.
The 12-classroom school, which will also have a nursery, will provide jobs for 20 full-time and 16 parttime staff.
The city council’s planning control committee will meet on Thursday to discuss the application and will hear that representations have been made by two local residents.
They say that the proposal is contrary to the policy that seeks to ensure green space between Alvaston; that Chellaston, Field Lane is “already in a state of terrible disrepair”; additional use of Field Lane will cause “highway danger” and congestion and parking issues at nearby Oakwood infant and junior schools “will be exacerbated”.
The report going to the committee acknowledges that the school is in the green wedge, but adds: “The proposed school is situated on the periphery of the wedge and the proposed building lies close to a number of new residential properties, therefore it is considered that it will not have a detrimental impact on the openness of the wedge.
“Of overarching importance is the need to provide a school for the adjoining housing development in a sustainable location.
“It is considered that the benefits of both the school and the housing delivery would outweigh the potential harmful impact on the green wedge.
“Consequently, it is considered that there are no overriding planning policy objections and that the proposed school is acceptable in principle.”
The report also refers to the access and traffic situation and says: “The catchment of the school is confined to the new residential developments of Snelsmoor Grange, Fellow Lands Way and Boulton Moor Phase 2.
“This reduced catchment area, with the addition of the pedestrianonly link from the southern end of the Snelsmoor development, will deter access to the development by car and promote localised walking and cycling.
“Other mitigation measures have been identified, including the widening and extension of Field Lane and works to improve the junction of Field Lane and Shardlow Road.
“The submitted travel plan includes measures to promote and facilitate walking, cycling, public transport use and car sharing.”
Originally, a turning circle to allow parents to drop off children by car was included in the plan and on that basis outline planning permission was given.
In the detailed design of the school, their is no turning circle and drop-off area. Instead it is proposed that the staff car park will be used as a turning circle for parents.
A sponsor for the school will have to be found in due course, as all new schools now are designated as academies.
Initial planning permission for Snelsmoor Grange housing gave the go-ahead to Clowes Developments and Bellway Homes for work to start on the first 245 homes.
Outline permission for the remaining 555 houses was also given as part of what is called a hybrid planning application.
It will be sited on land to the north of Snelsmoor Lane and south of Field Lane at Boulton Moor.
As well as the new school, the development also comprises of a country park and will be accessed from a new roundabout on Snelsmoor Lane.
The school will be sited on the edge of the green wedge and accessed from a new junction off Field Lane.
The proposed country park would form the retained green wedge and would be located between the proposed housing and the recently completed Fellow Lands Way development.
It would also contain footpaths, cycleways, play areas, wildflower meadows and public orchards.
Of overarching importance is the need to provide a school for the adjoining housing development in a sustainable location. Report