Draft Local Plan - Supplementary Consultation

Support

Representation ID: 9231

Received: 15/03/2019

Respondent: Arden Academy Board of Governors

Supports allocation of site 9, option 2 which shows the relocation of Arden Academy to an alternative site within site 9 and residential development on the existing site.
Option 1 is not supported. Overall achievable capacity within option 2 has the potential for a larger contribution to the approximately 1,000 homes earmarked for Knowle than identified in the consultation document and may be necessary to make option2 viable.
A new Arden centre for community learning should form an integral part of the masterplan for this area in order to secure medium and longterm educational, social, environmental and economic benefits for the local community. There is a compelling argument for a purpose built school, existing site is tightly constrained and no longer fit for purpose, additions over the years have led to a patchwork of development with poor interconnectivity, investment required to up date the site is around 18 million and would make Arden a building site for years hindering education, energy efficiency is poor and annual maintenance costs are high. Current site presents significant safety issues at the main entrance on Station Road, there is no parking for parents. School has no gym, floodlit facilities or swimming pool. Physical condition of the building creates challenges for the teaching and learning environment. Proposes a sports centre with swimming pool, fitness centre, arts theatre, recreation space and playing fields, conference /meeting facilities, day nursery, multi weather pitches, drama / dance rooms, improved community safety with significant reduction in traffic on parking routes, youth zone, potential to co-locate a new primary school. Cannot support option 1 as academy is retained on site and current difficulties will worsen and would still need to absorb the same level of housing development. Redevelopment of existing school site presents the scope to build at a higher density than elsewhere across site 9 taking advantage of existing scale and height of buildings and presents scope for more affordable housing.
Suggests revisions to concept master plan (see attached) and proposed phasing plan

Online questionnaire on consultation with 502 responses indicated the following:90.4% of respondents agreed site 9 should be included as an allocation
95.4% agreed with option 2 being developed which would enable a new school to be built.