Issue - meetings

C/2021/0274

Former Glyncoed Comprehensive School,

Badminton Grove, Ebbw Vale, NP23 5UL

New Primary School and Childcare Facility with External Play Areas, Recreational Spaces and Other Associated Infrastructure

The Team Leader advised that the report sought planning permission to construct a new 360 place primary school and
52 place day nursery/childcare facility on the footprint of the former Glyncoed Comprehensive School. The proposed school would be a direct replacement of the existing Glyncoed Primary School which had fallen into a state of disrepair. The Team Leader noted that the School would provide a range of community and sport facilities which could be segregated from the main school. The application site was a parcel of brownfield land comprising a mixture of hardstanding and scrub which was relatively level with Badminton Grove.

The Team Leader further outlined the application site with the assistance of the diagrams contained within the report.

The Team Leader further spoke to the report and advised that access to the site would be from the existing vehicle access off Badminton Grove. The access and existing parking areas would be upgraded and extended to provide additional parking areas and a service area. In total 111 car parking spaces would be provided which included 40 that would be for the existing bowls centre. The remaining 71 spaces would be for staff and visitors. In addition to the aforementioned car parking provision there would be a 10-bay drop-off zone provided.

In terms of consultation, it was reported that there had been no objections had been received from consultees, although letter of objections from residents was outlined by the Team Leader.

The Team Leader referred to the principle of development as detailed in the report and advised that the site was a brownfield site that formerly housed a comprehensive school which was located within the Northern Strategy Area where there was a focus on regenerating the area. It was felt that the proposal would provide for a modern replacement school with improved facilities in line with the 21st Century Schools Programme. The Team Leader stated that the community use of the existing playing fields, games area, children’s playground and existing accesses would not be compromised by the proposal.

A number of various layouts/designs had been considered prior to being presented to Committee and the Team Leader outlined the design of the building and materials to be used for the application. The Team Leader added that the design had been carefully considered to provide a harmonious transition from single storey at the front of the site rising to two storey building at the rear.

In terms of highways, the Team Leader advised that the submitted Transport Assessment concluded ‘that the site, by virtue of its location and the opportunities for access by a variety of means of transport, was accessible, sustainable and in accordance with national, regional and local policy. The development would result in a negligible uplift in vehicle trips which could be accommodated on the local highway network. It was therefore concluded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4