Agenda item

A report was presented on an application for the replacement of two existing gates/barriers with 2.4m high security gates, installation of additional gates adjacent to the garage and additional 2.4m high weld mesh security fencing at the rear of the tennis courts and to part of the boundary at Penwortham Girls High School, Cop Lane, Penwortham, Preston.

The report included the views of South Ribble Borough Council and details of one letter of representation received.

The Development Management Officer reported orally that two further letters of representation had been received objecting to the proposal, including one from County Councillor David Howarth.  County Councillor Howarth was of the view that the communal footpath from Alcester Avenue to Cop Lane had been used as a public right of way and advised that it would be subject to a claim for a public right of way.

The Officer presented a PowerPoint presentation showing an aerial view of the site and the nearest residential properties. The committee was also shown a site layout plan together with a diagram showing an alternative route from Alchester Avenue to Cop Lane and photographs of the site from various aspects.

Mrs Bell, a local resident addressed the committee. Mrs Bell informed the committee that the proposed new gates would block a communal right of way used by local residents to access local shops, the bus stop and farmers market. It was pointed out that the proposed diversion was much longer and therefore less convenient. It was appreciated that the school wished to secure the site but it was suggested that an alternative path should be provided. The committee was urged to defer the application pending the outcome of the claim for a public right of way.

County Councillor Howard, the local councillor for the area, addressed the committee. He informed the committee that:

·  The route had been used by members of the public for over 40 years.

·  The route was used by elderly residents to access local amenities such as the health centre and the church hall.

·  The school would not be secure even with the benefit of the additional fencing and gates, as access was available at other points of the boundary.

·  The application should be deferred as the route was likely to be the subject of an application to be designated a formal right of way in the near future.

Councillor Howard had previously expressed a view on the application and therefore left the room once he had spoken.

Following debate and questions to the officers by the Members, it was agreed that the officers would write to the applicant on behalf of the committee to advise that the requirements to secure the site to protect pupils and prevent unauthorised public access were recognised and that the erection of the proposed fencing was supported.  However, it was felt that the applicant should also be advised that the committee was concerned that:

·  The proposed fencing and the replacement of two existing gates/barriers with 2.4m high security gates and installation of additional gates adjacent to the garage would not have the desired effect of securing the school grounds in their entirety.

·  The replacement of two existing gates/barriers with 2.4m high security gates and the installation of additional gates adjacent to the garage would prevent public access between Cop Lane and Alcester Avenue along what is considered to be a well-established route.

·  The route was likely to be the subject of an application to be designated a formal right of way in the near future.

The Committee whilst recognising that gates could be erected to a height of 2m with the benefit of permitted development rights, felt that the applicant should be encouraged not to erect such until an application for a public right of way could be submitted and considered to avoid unnecessary restriction on members of the public and costs incurred by the erection of the gates/barrier in the event such an application were to be successful.

Resolved:  That, subject to the conditions set out in the report to the committee,planning permission be granted for the erection of 2.4m high weld mesh security fencing to the rear of the tennis courts and to part of the boundary at Penwortham Girls High School, Cop Lane, Penwortham, Preston.