Holton St Peter, near Halesworth, school expansion supported by officers - but not by Sport England

The expansion of a primary school to add 30 new places has officer support, although Sport England objects over loss of land on the playing field.

Suffolk County Council will consider officers’ recommendation to approve an application for a new block at Holton St Peter primary school next week.

A planning statement by design and property consultants Concertus explains: “The proposed new block aims to provide an inspiring educational building to meet the teaching requirements of today whilst also providing flexibility for the teaching needs of the future.

“It proposes to deliver an environment which allows for high quality education, allowing more children to attend a school in their local area.

“The expansion will provide much needed accommodation for additional pupil numbers, creating local school places within the Holton St Peter catchment.

“While the existing school serves the local community, the new early years facility will be driven by anticipated increase of pupils due to recently approved planning applications for a new housing development in Halesworth.”

Holton St Peter primary school is located at the junction of Bungay Road and Beccles Road in Holton, which is near Halesworth.

The new block would be for children aged two and three. The officers’ report showed agreement with the consultants that early years places are needed in Halesworth.

The early years block would be behind a hedge on the edge of the school’s playing field, which is to the west of the existing school buildings.

A small section of the hedge would be removed for a gate and a path to link the block to the main school would cause the loss of one car parking space.

A statement by Sport England reads: “The development would severely reduce the overall playing field space and does not satisfy any of the exceptions to Sport England’s playing field policy.”

This objection means the application will need to be referred to a secretary of state who could call it in if the committee gives its approval next week. The recommendation to grant planning permission is subject to the application not being called in.

The view of the planning officer, as laid out in the report, is: “The submitted drawings show that the field can still accommodate the junior soccer pitch and a 55 metre straight running track.

“Representations are being made to Sport England, with evidence that the same length of running track as the existing one can still be accommodated so no sports facility would be adversely affected.

“The committee will be advised if Sport England’s objection is withdrawn.”

Four objections have been raised about lack of parking, including one signed by two residents that said: “The parking situation has worsened since yellow lines were added on Beccles Road.

“Cars are parked dangerously causing congestion and dropped kerbs that I need for disability access are blocked.

“On-site parking is needed or a drop-off area within the grounds.”

The planning officer referred to the conclusion by County Highways that the block would not severely impact the highway and the applicant’s statement that half the school staff either walk or cycle to work, freeing up car parking spaces.

The officer also points to plans to create two new parking spaces by relocating a storage shed and the fact that school staff can use the car park at the nearby village hall; this is an informal arrangement that could be ended.

One parking space would be lost to create a path between the new block and the main school building.

Suffolk County Council’s development and regulation committee will consider the application next Wednesday.