School Latest

15th April 2008

The Parish Council has concerns that neighbouring schools are filling up, leaving insufficient places for Whiteley children unable to secure a place at Whiteley Primary.  A request for an update on the situation from HCC yielded this response to the email below.

From Ian Lawson
School Organisation Officer, Hampshire County Council Children's Services Department
Tel: 01962 846350

e-mail: ian.lawson@hants.gov.uk

Thanks.  I can now give you a full reply.

1. We are not planning to alter our current policy to provide Year R places at other schools in the area if a place is not secured at Whiteley Primary. We are satisfied that there is sufficient capacity at schools in the Western Wards or Titchfield to cater for the demand.

2. The central government funding that had been allocated to the second Whiteley Primary School project was time limited. That time limit has long passed so the funding is no longer available.

3. We have been following the proposals for the redevelopment of Whiteley Village, but have had no approach from the landowners, or from any local councillors. The only area within that site that could be large enough for a school is proposed for housing and is land that USS previously were not prepared to sell to the County Council for a school.

4. In view of the stage that Winchester City Council's LDF has reached, this is not the right time to revisit the longer term strategy. That will have to await the publication of the Preferred Options later this year.

Ian Lawson

 
Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2008 12:46 PM
Subject: Whiteley Primary School places

 
Please could you advise whether there are plans to alter the current policy of providing Year R places at other schools in the area if a place is not secured at Whiteley Primary? Councillors are concerned that all local schools are nearing capacity.
 
Many thanks for your help.
 
Regards
 
Nicki Oliver
Parish Clerk
tel 01329 835019
www.whiteleypc.info

 

 

7th February 2008

Offer of land for new school still stands!

Whiteley Parish Council sincerely sympathises with parents who have been unable to secure a reception place for their children in Whiteley.

Despite the continuing offer of land just metres away from planned housing development off Sweethills Crescent, Hampshire County Council refuses to provide a school.

The County Council contends that the ‘Bunney Land’ site was not viable because drainage problems and access issues would mean that it would cost…70 per cent more than the average cost of building a primary school.*

The Parish Council refutes these claims as excessive.

The County wished to build a school on Meadowside Recreation Ground which was strongly resisted by the Parish Council, Winchester City Council, local MP and many local residents, not least because Whiteley has a severe shortfall of sports pitches which would have been exacerbated by the proposal. 

Drainage and access would create similar problems on the Meadowside site so the Parish Council remains perplexed at the reasons HCC gives for causing so much disappointment, lengthy additional journeys and social injustice for so many of our parents and children. 

Chairman Mike Evans said “Whiteley children have a right to a local education.  Hampshire County Council considers this to have too high a price and continues to blame others for its own mistakes and lack of strategic planning.’’

*  HCC Press release 23rd January 2007

 

11th April 2007

Winchester City Council Cabinet consider petition to release land at Meadowside for a school. No changes to original decision

See minutes of meeting

Officers report to Cabinet

January 2007

Whiteley PC responds to news that school shelved for good

While Whiteley Parish Council fully supported the decision to build a new primary school in Whiteley , it made it clear from the outset that it was totally opposed to the use of the Meadowside recreation land for this purpose.  The  decision by Winchester City Council not to reconsider selling  the recreation land to the County Council is welcomed,  but it is disappointing that plans for a new school have had to be shelved because the County believe there is no other viable site.

To have built a school on the Meadowside  would have meant the unacceptable destruction of the only open recreation space in Whiteley and the loss of well used amenity. This unfortunate situation could well have been avoided if  those responsible for strategic planning had, at the appropriate time, earmarked  land in Whiteley to cater for a new one-form entry primary school. It is essential that the Parish Council  continues  to work closely with residents and Winchester City Council to ensure that the required education and other infrastructure facilities are provided in the planned development of North Whiteley.    

Hampshire Refuses to pursue school for Whiteley, press release received 23.1.07

PLANS FOR NEW WHITELEY PRIMARY SCHOOL SHELVED FOR GOOD

Hampshire County Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber, has reacted with “bitter disappointment” at news that hopes for a new primary school at Whiteley have been crushed for good.

Winchester City Council has told Councillor Thornber that it will not reconsider making available a small part of the land at Meadowside for a new school despite it being the only option left on the table.

Councillor Thornber, who received the news in a letter, said: “I am bitterly disappointed at the decision of Winchester City Council not to sell or lease us a small part of the land at Meadowside.

“We have made every effort to thoroughly evaluate and consider all the options, but Meadowside remained our only real chance to deliver. Four other sites were investigated as possible locations for the new school and were found to be unsuitable because of a variety of problems including accessibility, remoteness from homes and proximity to the M27, land ownership and the timescale for development.

“The County Council has even carried out an additional feasibility study into land at North Whiteley, at the request of Winchester City Council, at a cost of £50,000. This study found that the ‘Bunney Land’ site was not viable because drainage problems and access issues would mean that it would cost between £7.8 million and £8.2 million to build the new primary school -  70 per cent more than the average cost of building a primary school.

“When we doubted that we were likely to secure the land we needed at Meadowside we even explored building a temporary school on land in private ownership but this option has also proved impossible.

“Had the County Council had sufficient land in its ownership the new primary school would be on schedule for completion this summer. Instead, in light of the decision by Winchester City Council not to reconsider selling the County Council land at Meadowside, I have no alternative but to abandon all plans for a new primary school in Whiteley.

“We must now inform the DfES that we are unable to take up the £4 million funding earmarked for the school, which I fear may now be lost to Hampshire.

“I would like to thank the Church of England Diocese of Portsmouth for its considerable support throughout this process and everyone who has supported the plans for the new primary school.

“I am disappointed for those members of the Whiteley community who want to see the school built, that the city council has not met the County Council halfway on this issue. Bearing in mind the legitimate concerns of the parents who were hoping to send their children to the new one form entry primary school in Whiteley in September 2007, I give this reassurance; The County Council will continue to support all Whiteley  parents seeking school places for their children and in particular any that have not yet secured a suitable school places.”

December 2006

HCC Executive Summary for Bunney Land / temporary school site proposal

Available to view as pdf. file

September 2006

HCC has agreed to carry out feasibility study on Bunney Land.  According to The News September 28th 2006 Sean Woodward Fareham BC Leader says ' Winchester Council is so hung up on this that its cabinet won't reconsider the Meadowside until the Bunney site is shown to be unsuitable by independent contractors so that's what's going to happen'

George Beckett Leader of WCC issued the following press release on 29th September:

Winchester response to Whiteley School proposal

Winchester City Council Leader George Beckett has welcomed the news that Hampshire County Council is to carry out an investigation into the use of alternative land for a new school in Whiteley.

"I have been asking the County for some months and through a number of channels to look at using land other than at the Meadowside Leisure Centre. I have also taken two opportunities at public meetings in Whiteley over recent months to push for this approach. The feasibility study of the "Bunney" land is a step forward," he said.

"I am pleased this is now taking place because we all want a resolution. We want a school in Whiteley as much as anyone but have always said that the Leisure Centre site is not the right option as it loses open space land for good."

Cllr Beckett went on to say, "recent press comments seem to suggest that a deciding factor in the City Council's turning down of the County's request to use Meadowside was that an alternative site had not been thoroughly evaluated.

"Although we are pleased that other options are now being considered, the City Council actually turned down the County's request to use Meadowside for other reasons. The County's proposal was not supported by the community; it would significantly reduce the already small amount of recreation land according to the Hampshire Playing Fields Association; and lastly the compensation land offered by the County to the City Council for the loss of Meadowside was not acceptable as it would be too little and too far out of the centre".

Date published: 29/09/2006

********************************

The Parish Council has received numerous complaints about campaigners calling themselves 'ACE' aiming to persuade WCC to change its decision and release land at Meadowside for a school.  A resident has countered the claims made by ACE and asked that they be added to the 'Residents Views' .

August 2006

Copy of HCC's feasibility study available on request

Letter from Whiteley PC providing update and thanking supporters in its campaign for a new school for Whiteley, but not on the Meadowside Recreation Ground.

29th July 2006

Following the Winchester City Council decision to refuse to transfer land at Meadowside for a new school Whiteley Parish  Councillors have been holding discussions with several key players regarding its campaign for a new primary school on the North Whiteley site.  Support is growing both locally and with those holding the potential funding and necessary land.  Winchester City Council and MP Mark Oaten have indicated they will do all that is necessary to help the Parish Council pursue the school on the North Whiteley site.

 

19th July 2006

At WCC's Full Council meeting last night the decision not to release land at Meadowside for a new school was ratified.   There was unanimous cross party agreement on the issue with only one councillor abstaining.  Members agreed with the Parish Council that HCC has failed to appreciate local opinion and the consultation with residents and sports groups was inadequate.

Parish Council's presentation to WCC

18th July 2006

The Parish Council will present a 380 signature petition to WCC Full Council meeting tomorrow evening from residents objecting to the use of Meadowside for a school.   Meanwhile HCC has sent out a letter to residents.

10th July 2006

At the Winchester City Council Cabinet meeting on 10th July 2006 it was agreed, following presentations by The Parish Council and National Playing Fields Association to recommend NOT to release land at Meadowside for a new primary school.

Whiteley Parish Council will continue to work to ensure a new primary school is built in Whiteley on the right site.

Copy of Whiteley PC's presentation

Copy of Hampshire Playing Fields Association presentation

5th July

Results of Winchester City Council consultation and Cabinet papers and Agenda for 10th July

4th July

Check out the effect of the proposals on Meadowside Recreation Ground and surrounding houses with these before and after aerial photos.

2nd July 2006

The Parish Council has written a number of letters to challenge Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth Diocese to justify some of the actions and claims.  To date no replies have been received:

1. To Winchester City Council Chief Executive:

Dear Sirs

Proposal to dispose of land at Meadowside Recreation Ground, Whiteley

At the Cabinet meeting on 31st May it was agreed that the public consultation in respect of the above should be as wide and thorough as possible in the time available.  The minutes state “it was confirmed that the City Council would undertake some informal consultation, including liaising with Whiteley Parish Council about the possibility of utilising their publications for this purpose”

The Parish Council is disappointed that there was no consultation on the City Council letter sent to residents dated 12th June, an action that could be considered contrary to the City Council’s Statement of Community Involvement.

The Parish Council remains concerned that a decision could be taken on the disposal of recreation land in the absence of detailed information on the likely effect of the proposal on Whiteley residents and in particular those who live close to the Meadowside.  

The Parish Council reiterates its request for an independent Environmental Impact Assessment to be undertaken at the earliest opportunity and believes the City Council should consider funding the work.

 2. To HCC Environment and Planning Dept

Dear Sirs

Proposal to build a new primary school on Meadowside Recreation Ground, Whiteley

Hampshire County Council proposes to build a primary school on part of Meadowside Recreation Ground.

The Parish Council wishes to raise awareness of its concerns regarding this proposal:

  • The unacceptable loss of much needed and used amenity, recreation space and sports pitches. Although a one form entry school is planned at present, expansion to a two form entry could possibly mean the total loss of two thirds of the current sports pitches.
  • The proposal is contrary to government planning guidance (PPG17 in particular) and the advice of other bodies such as the National Playing Fields Association and Sport England.
  • The proposal is contrary to local planning policies (RT 1 of Winchester District Local Plan Review Revised Deposit 2003).
  • In view of the above, a planning application could involve a lengthy public enquiry in which success could not be guaranteed.  This could delay provision of the school for perhaps 2 years.

In addition to the above:

  • Meadowside Leisure Centre would become remote from the sports pitches it serves and will be left with no scope for future expansion.
  • The loss of open space adjoining the new Area K development, a dense housing scheme with properties having very small gardens, is unacceptable. Approximately 400 residents have so far signed petitions opposing the Hampshire County Council proposal. 
  • The proposal to move pitches to accommodate the school involves relocating the present greenways and play area and developing the wetland area.  (Such proposals are likely to be expensive because of drainage problems for both a new building and the relocated pitches.)  These well-used facilities would be unavailable for residents whilst undergoing relocation.
  • Future development of North Whiteley could provide the school requirements within a timescale perhaps only marginally longer than the time taken for a public enquiry on the recreation ground site.
  • Hampshire County Council has indicated that land at Leafy Lane could be provided in compensation.  Leafy Lane is remote from the majority of the Whiteley population so is not acceptable compensation.  (Also a reason why HCC has discounted Leafy Lane for a school). Land at Leafy Lane is also allocated for residential development.

The County is refusing to consider a site in North Whiteley that has been offered for a school. The Parish Council believes the site to be significantly more suitable for a number of reasons:

  • Winchester City Council has indicated it would look favourably on a planning application for a school on the site.
  • The site is very well placed and would be central to future development at North Whiteley which is very likely to go ahead.
  • Expensive mitigation land would not have to be provided.
  • Expensive and disruptive relocation of sports and recreation facilities would not be required.
  • No loss of existing recreation land.

The Parish Council requests that the County object to the proposal to build a school on Meadowside Recreation Ground.

3. To HCC Estates Dept

Dear Sirs

Proposal to build a new primary school on Meadowside Recreation Ground, Whiteley

The Parish Council remains concerned that the site offered in North Whiteley and other alternative sites are not being fully considered by the County.

It wishes to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act in order to understand the proposal more fully:

Copies of feasibility studies to provide a new one form entry school, included cost analyses for the following sites: Meadowside Recreation Ground, USS Land, Leafy Lane and North Whiteley Bunney Land.

Copies of all correspondence between the County and land owners of the above sites during the last 18 months.

Copes of all correspondence between the County and Portsmouth Diocese regarding the provision of a school in Whiteley, and copies of all correspondence between the County and USS on access to the Meadowside site

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

4. To HCC Treasurers Dept

Dear Sirs

Proposal to build a new primary school on Meadowside Recreation Ground, Whiteley

Hampshire County Council proposes to build a primary school on part of Meadowside Recreation Ground.

The Parish Council believes the proposal does not offer good value for money.  To develop the site for a school involves moving existing recreation facilities and infrastructure that the County estimate will cost at least £600,000 creating significant disruption to the community in the process.  It is proposed to provide mitigation land for that lost at Meadowside by using land owned by the County, allocated for residential development, which will substantially add to the overall cost of the project.

The County is refusing to consider a site in North Whiteley that has been offered for a new school, which the Parish Council believes to be a more cost effective and better long term option for the local community 

The Parish Council requests that the County provides a copy of the detailed cost analysis

5. To Portsmouth Diocese

Dear Sirs

Proposed Church School at Whiteley – Site Issues

The Parish Council was very disappointed to view a copy of your letter to HCC dated 18th May 2006 in respect of the above.

The Parish Council strongly disagrees with your statement that the Bunney Land is detached from its community and would create transport difficulties.

The site is approximately five minutes walk from the proposed site on the Meadowside Recreation Ground, it adjoins new housing development and will also be central to the additional 3000 houses planned for Whiteley. 

The Parish Council does not consider the site to be isolated from its community as suggested in your letter, the land at Meadowside should not be considered for a church when the Church has the benefit of lease of an adjoining site for this purpose.

The Parish Council would like to request a copy of any evidence you can provide to  support your claim that Bunney  Land is an unsuitable site.

 

7th June 2006

WCC is inviting comments on the proposal to release Meadowside Land for a new school:

Make your views known, please also send a copy to the Parish Council whiteleyparishcouncil@msn.com

6th June 2006

Following the Parish Council's presentation to WCC it has raised its ongoing concerns regarding the process that WCC will follow prior to a final decision being made whether to release land at Meadowside for a school,  The PC has been advised that WCC will be placing the necessary statutory notices in the local papers advertising the proposal to dispose of recreation space, residents can send their comments to WCC.  Look out for the notice in the News on 7th and 8th of June and the Echo on 8th and 16th June.  We will also post a copy here.

The Parish Council will be contacting those supporting its campaign in the next week, if you would like to be added please email whiteleyparishcouncil@msn.com

In response to the PC's concerns regarding the process, WCC's Deputy Leader, George Hollingbery provided this statement:

It has been suggested to me by the Chairman of the Parish Council that there may be some misunderstanding as to what has or has not been agreed to re. the land at Meadowside. Without labouring matters, I will try and lay out where we are, where we go from here and the timings involved.

First it is important to understand that WCC has not agreed to sell the land to HCC. It has agreed that it will do so if a whole range of caveats are complied with. These are all very clearly listed in the paper referred to in previous posts. Some are there to protect the council´s interests in certain circumstances but mostly they are there to protect the availability of recreational facilities and open space to local people.

Second is timing. There are four separate schedules here.

First is the need for WCC to comply with a legal need to advertise a "substantial departure from the Local Plan" and receive representations. Since the playing fields are designated for recreational use in the local plan, if we are to allow a change of use (to the school) we have to consult on this. This will be done by posting statutory notices in local papers. The results of this process will be brought to Council on July 19th. At this stage, Council will or will not scanction the change of use. If it doesn´t, the whole process grinds to a halt there and then. If it does, it simply means one of a number of hurdles has been cleared.

Second is the need to obtain planning permission. This will be determined by a committee of the county council and the schedule is entirely driven by the county. I cannot tell you when (or even if) the county will submit a planning application.

Third is the requirement by WCC that HCC should meet all its caveats. This has no schedule. The caveats are complied with when they are complied with and not otherwise. There are no time limits here.

Finally there is the matter of when the funding for the school dries up. HCC has to convince Government that it has quote "identified a site" for the new school if it is to lock down the funding. This has to be done by mid September. It remains to be seen if HCC can do this in time.

I make no apologies here for taking a cautious line. There are very clear competing interests for this land and WCC must make sure that it is consudering the needs of all parties. The need and desire for a new school is clear. But so are the worries about losing open space, disruption to sports teams, the positioning of the replaced skate park and tennis courts, the increased difficulty of reaching new pitches and the considerable disruption that will be caused by any works amongst many other issues.

This is not an easy decision to make and I for one cannot tell you how I think things will ultimately pan out.   

31st May 2006

Whiteley PC make further representation to Winchester City Council Cabinet

 

25th May 2006

Winchester City Council to reconsider releasing Meadowside recreation land to HCC for school

¨    Hampshire County Council (HCC) consider that recreational ground owned by Winchester City Council (WCC) behind the Meadowside Centre is the only suitable site for a new primary school.

¨    This proposal would reduce the area of recreational ground, require relocation of the existing recreational facilities (tennis courts, sports pitches, children’s play area etc.), and space limitations would prevent intake expanding beyond one form entry.

¨    While there is broad agreement on the need for a new school, the Meadowside site is strongly opposed by local sports clubs and a substantial section of the community.

¨    In March WCC requested that HCC consider other site options before WCC considered selling the land to HCC. A site to the north of Whiteley having the best potential.

¨    Changes in WCC administration following the recent local elections, continued insistence by HCC that the Meadowside site is the only suitable option and refusal by the Diocese of Portsmouth (who are the applicants for and recipients of the DfES funding for the school) to pursue school development on any other site, have prompted WCC Cabinet to reconsider disposal of the Meadowside land.

¨   There are significant potential obstacles including obtaining planning consent, further public consultation, need to override recreational use only covenants, indemnification and the possibility that the application will be ‘called in’ by the Government Office due to significant departure from planning policies.

¨    WCC Cabinet will meet on 31 May 2006 to reconsider disposal of Meadowside land

¨    If WCC Cabinet decides to pursue the matter, there will be another public consultation exercise and a report considered by Cabinet on 10 July 2006 with a final decision on whether to dispose of the land to be taken at the meeting of WCC Council on 19 July 2006.

¨    Whiteley Parish Council supports the need for a new primary school but strongly believes that the school must be located in a site which is suitable for the inevitable need for expansion beyond one form entry and does not compromise local recreational or informal space. The site to the north of Whiteley meets these requirements, is readily accessible and available at reasonable cost.

WCC’s full report to be considered at their meeting on 31 May 2006 can be read as a PDF doc.

Southern Daily Echo Tuesday 4th April 2006

Offer of land for new school turned down

A PRIVATE landowner has made an offer of five acres of land so a new school can be built in Whiteley -- but the county council has refused to consider it.

The prime land is just north of Whiteley village on a site designated for future development and the owner is said to be willing to give it up for £20,000 per acre.

However, Hampshire County Council wants to build the new one form entry primary school on the Meadowside Recreation Ground in the village centre.

This would mean uprooting the existing playing fields, moving them 40 metres to the west and putting them on a meadow.

It's the latest development in a long wrangle over where and when a new school will be built in the village.

A spokeswoman for Hampshire County Council said: "A private landowner has indicated that he would be prepared to offer the council a site within the countryside area to the north of Whiteley.

"This site would, however, raise significant planning policy issues concerning whether land north of Whiteley should become a future major growth area and would be likely to take a considerable time to resolve. In addition, the site has no road access, which would need to be provided at considerable financial cost."

The decision not to consider the land has angered members of Whiteley Parish Council, who have been out looking at the site, just off Whiteley Lane.

Councillor Mike Evans said: "This is the way Whiteley is expanding. Thousands of new homes are going to be built to the north of the community and so building on this land makes sense, especially as the owner is willing to sell it to the council at a very reasonable rate, and it is large enough for the school's expansion."

Parish council chairman Councillor Pat Wright added: "What we would like to see is a feasibility study carried out on this site and a consultation with key stakeholders. Not this `there is no option B' attitude that has been adopted by the county council."

The Department for Education and Skills has announced that it will push back the deadline for the school plan's submission to September.

If the county council has not submitted its proposals by then it could lose out on a £4m grant.

23rd March 2006

The Parish Council made a presentation to Winchester City Council Cabinet meeting on 22nd March to urge the City Council not to dispose of Meadowside Recreation Ground for a new school.  The Parish Council continues to believe that other options have not been fully considered.  Winchester City Council agreed with the opinions of the Parish Council and agreed to ask HCC to consider other options and to involve the stake holders in the process which has not happened to date.  City Councillors wished to point out the misleading information from HCC indicating that only 5% of recreation space would be lost.  5% of the space is required for the buildings, a further 25% for the outdoor space which would be fenced off and unavailable for public amenity use. HCC confirmed that a conservative estimate to move the existing facilities to be in the region of £600,000. The Parish Council continues to campaign for the use of the site shown on the Alternative site link above, Winchester City Council has indicated it would look favourably on a planning application on this site.  The site will allow for the school to expand and provide for the new developments to the north of Whiteley, whilst maintaining the excellent recreation facilities we have at present.  It is the best long term option for the community.

17th March 2006

The Parish Council continues to campaign for the school to be built on a site offered to HCC; the Parish Council does not support any proposal to build on the Meadowside Recreation Ground. See the Alternative site link above.

March 2006

Hampshire County Council has released it's report and recommendations to Cabinet meeting 20th March following the public consultation process: link http://www.hants.gov.uk/decisions/decisions-docs/060320-cabine-R0313114244.html

Winchester City Council has also released it's report and recommendations to Cabinet - meeting 22nd March: link http://www.winchester.gov.uk/Documents/committees/cabinet/12001299/CAB1244%20Disposal%20of%20Recreational%20Land%20at%20Meadowside%2C%20Whiteley.pdf

Campaign for a new primary school for Whiteley

For information on the extensive campaign carried out by the Parish Council in recent years, use the School campaign button above, it is a WORD document.

The Parish Council was advised in September 2005 that Hampshire County Council had identified two possible sites for a school, one of which was the Meadowside Recreation Ground, owned by Winchester City Council.

The Parish Council has objected to the targeting of this site for the school, a copy of the letter sent to Winchester City Council is set out below, the campaign leaflet showing an estimate of the area of recreation land required for a new school can be viewed in pdf here.

A copy of the Parish Council's response to the HCC consultation is also set out below.

** HCC's consultation document has now been posted to all Whiteley residents.  The plans for the school and the changes needed to the recreation ground are shown in more detail.

 

County Office Education Dept

Hampshire County Council

The Castle

Winchester

SO23 8UG                                                                                                               15th February 2006

 

For the attention of Mr Bob Eardley

Dear Sirs

Consultation on the proposed new voluntary aided primary school for the Whiteley area.

Thank you for arranging a meeting with councillors on 31st January and for the opportunity to respond to this consultation. However the Parish Council wishes to record its disappointment that it was prevented from making its views known at the public meeting on 9th February.

As you are aware the Parish Council fully supports the need for a new primary school but strongly objects to the proposal to site it on recreation land at Meadowside for the following reasons:

  • Loss of much needed and used amenity, recreation space and sports pitches, extensive disruption to existing users whilst facilities are relocated at a significant cost to the taxpayer.

( Whiteley is fortunate to have nine junior and four senior football teams and a thriving cricket club.  The play area is also very popular, 48 people of all ages recorded using the site at 3pm on a recent Saturday afternoon. )

·        The proposed relocation of the skatepark and tennis courts to less desirable locations.

  • The unacceptable destruction of Whiteley’s most important open space, the resulting urbanisation would be detrimental to the ambiance and character of the area.
  • The proposal is contrary to government planning guidance (PPG17 in particular) and the advice of other bodies such as the National Playing Fields Association and Sport England.
  • The proposal is contrary to local planning policies (RT 1 of Winchester District Local Plan Review Revised Deposit 2003).
  • In view of the above, a planning application is likely to involve a lengthy public enquiry in which success could not be guaranteed.  This could delay provision of the school for perhaps 2 years.
  • Meadowside Leisure Centre would become remote from the sports pitches it serves and will be left with no scope for future expansion.
  • The school will benefit a comparatively small percentage of the population; one form entry, a maximum of 210 children at any one time.  The total number of children under 16 is currently 1000+ and the majority of Whiteley adult residents also use the recreation ground. 
  • Hampshire County Council indicates in the consultation document that land at Leafy Lane could be provided in compensation.  A large part of this site is already designated for recreation when developed.
  • Land at Leafy Lane is remote from the majority of the Whiteley population, has poor access and suffers from noise and air pollution, also reasons why HCC has discounted the Leafy Lane site for a school.

The Parish Council believes alternative sites should be pursued.

  • The Parish Council believes HCC should make more vigorous efforts to negotiate with USS.
  • Future development of North Whiteley could provide the school requirements within a timescale perhaps only marginally longer than the time taken for a public enquiry on the recreation ground site.

 

Yours faithfully

 

Mrs N Oliver

Parish Clerk

cc Winchester City Council

 

*****************************

Mr S Tilbury

Director of Development

Avalon House

Chesil Street

Winchester                                                                                                                                                   

10th October 2005

 Dear Mr Tilbury

New Primary School for Whiteley

Further to our letter dated 23rd September, based on the HCC and WCC briefing to councillors on 19th September 2005, the Parish Council’s principal reasons for not supporting the use of an area of Meadowside Recreation Ground for the new Primary School are as follows:

Loss of much needed and used amenity, recreation space and sports pitches. Although a one form entry school is planned at present, expansion to a two form entry could possibly mean the total loss of two thirds of the current sports pitches.

The unacceptable destruction of Whiteley’s most important open space, the resulting urbanisation would be detrimental to the ambiance and character of the area.

The proposal is contrary to government planning guidance (PPG17 in particular) and the advice of other bodies such as the National Playing Fields Association and Sport England.

The proposal is contrary to local planning policies (RT 1 of Winchester District Local Plan Review Revised Deposit 2003).

Local residents are very likely to oppose the proposal, notwithstanding their desire to see further primary school provision in the area.

In view of the above, a planning application is likely to involve a lengthy public enquiry in which success could not be guaranteed.  This could delay provision of the school for perhaps 2 years.

The Council also considers it pertinent that:

Meadowside Leisure Centre would become remote from the sports pitches it serves and will be left with no scope for future expansion.

The loss of open space adjoining the new Area K development, a dense housing scheme with properties having very small gardens, is unacceptable.

The proposal to move pitches to accommodate the school involves relocating the present greenways and play area and developing the wetland area.  (Such proposals are likely to be expensive because of drainage problems for both a new building and the relocated pitches.)  These well-used facilities would be unavailable for residents whilst undergoing relocation.

Future development of North Whiteley could provide the school requirements within a timescale perhaps only marginally longer than the time taken for a public enquiry on the recreation ground site

The school will benefit a comparatively small percentage of the population; one form entry, a maximum of 210 children at any one time.  The total number of children under 16 is currently 1000+ and the majority of Whiteley adult residents also use the recreation ground.  (The Council would remind you that the total population of Whiteley is approximately 5000 at present and is expected to grow significantly with introduction of the South-East Plan.)  

Hampshire County Council indicated that land at Leafy Lane could be provided in compensation.  A large part of this site is already designated for recreation when developed, would additional land be provided?

Land at Leafy Lane is remote from the majority of the Whiteley population so is not acceptable compensation.  (Also a reason why HCC has discounted Leafy Lane for a school).

Yours sincerely

Nicki Oliver

Parish Clerk