School demolition set for approval

The full application to redevelop Farnley Park High School, in Farnley, Leeds, will lead to the loss of land that has been

designated for use as playing pitches.

However, members will be told that any playing fields used in the development will be replaced by a larger newly-created playing pitch.

The application has already received outline planning permission and members of Leeds City Council's plans panel west will meet on Thursday to discuss the application.

A report to members says: "Most of the school site, including the existing buildings is within the green belt – where inappropriate development would not normally be allowed and, even where very special circumstances to justify development can be demonstrated, the impact on the open character of the green belt should be minimised."

When outline permission was granted, councillors referred the application to the Government to see if it wished to call it in before a decision was taken, but it did not call it in and consent was granted.

Farnley Park High School is being refurbished and extended under the Government's Building Schools For the Future (BSF) programme. No timescale for the development is given in the report.

The BSF programme was launched by the last Government to replace or refurbish the entire secondary school system across the country. Leeds Council was one of the first wave of authorities to be included in the scheme.

Farnley is one of five schools included in the second phase of the first wave of the BSF programme.

If members approve the plans the school's roll will be increased. The report adds: "The proposed development is the refurbishment and partial redevelopment of the existing high school, to accommodate approximately 1100 pupils aged 11-16 years plus 150 post-16 pupils. This is an increase from the current school roll of 829 pupils aged 11-16 years and 35 post-16 pupils."

The project involves refurbishment of some existing blocks, demolition of others and new build.

Some trees in the existing car parking and serving areas will have to be removed but members will be told that a survey by the applicant, Leeds City Council, has found they are not of any particular merit and it is proposing planting trees elsewhere on the site to mitigate the loss.

Council officers are recommending that councillors back the proposal but defer final approval to the chief planning officer subject to certain conditions being met, including the creation of new sports

pitches and sports and changing area.

At the time the report was written Sport England was considering its submission, but in its interim comments it raised concerns about how long the temporary loss of playing fields would last while work was carried out and sought reassurances about community use.

The report says discussions with Sport England are continuing and concludes: "Sport England have accepted that in allowing the development of a new school on part of the protected playing pitch, the area of newly created playing pitch will exceed that which exists currently.

"On balance, it is considered that the scheme is acceptable and it is therefore recommended that members defer and delegate approval to the chief planning officer in order to resolve discussions about any additional conditions required."