Computer Aided Design Services
Design and Access Statement
Version1.0Date13th October2015
ProjectPortfields PrimarySchoolProject No.CM-170-19-DAS
Westbury Lane
Newport Pagnell
Milton Keynes
MK16 8PS
1.00INTRODUCTION
1.01This Design and Access Statement is submitted in support of the planning application fora proposed new Outdoor Classroom Block with additional cycle shelter provision and the re-opening of an old pedestrian and cycle school access entrance. Portfields Primary School need to extend its current provision by a further four classrooms, with breakout areas/toilet facilities, to meet both the current and future educational needs of the curriculum. This new classroom building will be exclusively used, by Year 6, and will assist in the preparation and transition to senior school.
2.00CONTEXT
2.01The area allocated for the proposed new Outdoor Classroom Block is currently a tarmacadam playground area. The area allocated for the cycle shelter is within the site margin area.
2.02The school site is surrounded by residential areasfrom all directions. To the South of the site is located a Co-operative Food Store accessed from Wordsworth Street.
2.03Portfields Primary Schoolwas constructed in the 1970’s andis predominately a single storey building. The external wall facade consists of brown facing brickwork. Windows and doors are aluminium double glazed units. The main roofs are all pitched with brown concrete pan tiled roofs.
2.04The proposed new Outdoor Classroom Block is rectangular shaped with a shallow mono pitched roof. The overall external dimensions are approx.19.3m long x 16.65m wide (area 130m²). The roofheight at the East & WideSide of this proposal slopes from 4.41m down to 3.95m at the North & South Side.The external wall facade consists of HardiePlank® cladding from JamesHardie, colour Rustic Brown Cedar. The cladding is to be fixed horizontally floor level. Refer to our drawing no. CM-170-19-02 for further details.
2.05The new Outdoor Classroom Blockwill be sitedapproximately 4.0m away from the existing school. Siting the new facility in this location allows the new building to be accessed directly from the main school building.Refer to our drawing no. CM-170-19-04 showing the location details.
2.06Vehicular parking is available via the existing school car park and the scheme will not bring any additional vehicular traffic to site. Ths proposal allows for additional cycle shelters to reduce vehicular traffic in accordance with the aims and objectives of the school travel plan, which in included for reference within this application.
2.07Relevant planning policies –Portfields Primary Schoolpresent designation is D1 Non-residential institutions, which will remain unchanged. Consideration has been given to Milton Keynesplanning policies and relevant Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG's).
2.08Involvement - This is a private development by the applicants that are willing to hold discussions with other partners and interested parties such as the statutory authorities, highways etc.
2.09Evaluation - Issues arising from previous applications have been considered.
2.10Design - The applicants are willing to consider such details as desired by the Planning Department. Portfields Primary School wish to enhance the appeal of education in the new Outdoor Classroom Blockwith this new modern design of buiding whilst meeting the objectives of the school travel plan by introducing additional cycle shelter provision.
3.00DESIGN COMPONENT
3.01Amount :- The application is for a new detachedOutdoor Classroomwithin the grounds of their existing site. The new facility provides a modern solution to the needs of Portfields Primary School in a sustainable and enviromentally friendly building.
3.02Use- A new Outdoor ClassroomBlock containing 4no. classrooms, breakout areas, toilet and kitchen facilities.
3.03Layout- Determind by the best use of available land to the existing site. Refer to the photographs at the end of this statement relating to the existing site conditions.
3.04Scale - Determind by the size required for aclassroom blockwith adequate working space.
3.05Appearance–HardiePlank® cladding with alumumium glazed windows & doors.
4.00ACCESS
4.01Physical Links - the site is well serviced by public transport and major road networks.
4.02Inclusion - The new Outdoor Classroom Block will conform to Part M of the Building Regulations.
4.03 Entrance – the proposal includes for the reopening of a pedestrian and cycle access
entrance at the rear of the site to reduce the congestion at the front of site.
5.00 OTHERS
5.01 Energy Efficiency - The new Outdoor Classroom Block will conform to the requirements of
the Building Regulations.
5.02Crime Prevention Measures - Secured by design considerations will be undertaken.
6.00LISTED BUILDINGS
6.01The property is not a listed building and is not in a conservation area.
7.00BACKGROUND INFORMATION
7.01Portfields Primary School is situated on an attractive site to the West of the town of Newport Pagnell, bordering Milton Keynes. Portfields Primary School is an Early Years to Year 6, mixed foundation school of 720 pupils located in Newport Pagnell.
7.02Drawing children from an extended catchment area, Portfields provides a supportive and caring environment, where children have a positive attitude to learning and consistently make good progress. Children are well-behaved and enjoy school, having access to a wide range of interesting lessons, visits, clubs and other experiences.
7.03Portfields is a forward thinking school which has Foundation status. It is on the Newport Pagnell North Ward: in this ward approximately 16.2% of adults have higher education, 23.7% high class social households and 6.3% overcrowded households. The majority of property within Portfields reserved area is owned but there is also a significant amount of rented accommodation. Pupil mobility has increased in recent years, with those entering mid-primary stage, high.
7.04Portfields Primary School have some of the best educational standards in the country and continue to exceed government targets and national averages. A Healthy Schools National Award and a Sports Activemark are among its achievements.
7.05The mission statement for the school is: “To give each child the best preparation for life in a changing environment, instilling in them the values for continual learning, tolerance and respect for self and others.” Everyone at Portfields constantly works to fulfil this vision.
7.06The pupils at Portfields are enthusiastic, enjoy learning and there is harmony amongst them. They are well behaved and courteous; this was noted by Ofsted where it was judged to have “outstanding” behaviour. Portfields is, and feels like, one big happy family.
7.07Children have access to indoor and outdoor learning environments which allows them to engage in active play and develop their independence and self-confidence within a variety of activities.
7.08Portfields Primary School needs to extend its current provision by a further four classrooms, with breakout areas/toilet/kitchen facilities, to meet both the current and future educational needs of the curriculum.
7.09This new classroom building will be used exclusively, by Year 6, and will assist in the preparation and transition to Senior School.
7.10The school have chosen an Inspired Building to provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly new outdoor facility. The building has been designed to minimise whole life costs and maximise the emphasis of stimulating education through indoor and outdoor spaces.
7.11Careful consideration of the proposed location of the new classroom block will prevent any impact on biodiversity or nature conservation. The scheme is not considered at risk through flood zones, in accordance with the Environment Agencies flood risk.
7.10This scheme will not bring any additional vehicular traffic onto site. The school recognise the current traffic congestion, particularly at peak pick up and drop off times with the school management actively working to reduce congestion for local residents. Examples of this are to increase the cycle shelter provision, included within this application, to encourage more journeys by bike and also to reduce the number of cars used to drop off at school by 25% by 2017. Please find attached the latest School Travel Plan with targets and objectives.
7.11The proposed development will allow the current school building to be reconfigured, internally, to enhance teaching and communal facilities, for the existing school population.
7.12Portfields Primary School is active to follow the Government’s aims to raise school standards through Physical Education and Sport. This allows for the provision in school, including increasing participation in PE and Sport so all pupils can develop healthy lifestyles and reach the performance levels they are capable of. The siting of this development, has been carefully considered to meet the requirements of PPG17 (Planning for open space, recreation and sport), Building Bulletin 103 (Area guidelines for mainstream schools) and Sport England Planning Bulletin. This consideration facilities:
- No loss or development on school playing fields, soft outdoor PE area or Multi Use Games Area.
- The hard outdoor PE area includes for a separate Multi Use Games area and this will not be affected by the development.
- No impact upon existing macadam area for outdoor PE and informal social areas for the encouragement of healthy, active creative outdoor play, as well as for more formal learning activities including outdoor study groups and for pupils to engage in outdoor art, theatre, dance and design. Building Bulletin 103 recommends 2625m² and with the development there will be 2700m².
- This development provides for additional cycle shelter to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Chris Hayes
On behalf of CadMan Cad Bureau Ltd
Existing Photo – Sheet 1
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