‘Abominating’ school building approved despite fears it will ‘loom over’ homes
The goahead to build new facilities at a Cheltenham school has been met with a furious backlash from residents, who have raised "serious concerns" about the development.
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A Cheltenham school’s ‘ugly’ plans for a new classroom block and gym have been approved despite fears the “abominating” structure will loom over nearby homes.
Alpha Schools’ plans for in Charlton Kings were debated by Borough planners yesterday (May 22).
They want to demolish and re-build the classroom block and gym building at the Cirencester Road school.
Eight residents raised serious concerns over the impact the plans for the Cirencester Road school will have on them.
Howard Ganderton, spoke at Cheltenham Borough Council’s planning committee against the plans on behalf of residents in Randolph Close.
“The proposed classroom block is 9.2m high and 4.47m long,” he said.
“Standing at 5.2m higher than the existing single storey building set for demolition which we currently see above our wall.
He said it would tower around four metres about nearby properties and said there had been “no attempt” to soften its impact with screening.
He told the committee how the new building would block sunlight into their homes during the winter months.
“This is our home, it was meant to be our forever home,” he said. “It’s what I’ve been going to work for every day and if you as committee members were faced with similar prospects how would you feel?
“We as residents want St Edwards to progress, provide a better working environment and keep the students safe.
“But we strongly believe this can, and should, be achieved without ruining the lives and homes of neighbouring residents.
“Our mental health and wellbeing must also be considered. We deserve to feel safe and relaxed in our homes. Not overshadowed by an abominating structure looming above us.”
And ward Councillor Steve Harvey (LD, Charlton Kings) also spoke at the Municipal Offices and called on councillors to reject the scheme. Councillor Harvey said the plans would have benefited from pre-application advice.
He called on councillors to consider rejecting the scheme on various grounds including loss of light, noise pollution and lack of environmentally friendly features.
“The scale and massing are completely out of character with the surrounding two storey homes,” he said.
“The proximity and elevation worsens the impact on daylight and sense of enclosure especially for garden use.”
Officers said the original scheme had been revised to lessen the impact of the classroom building on the residential properties.
The changes included a roof height reduction of 1.8 metres, obscure glazing on the first floor windows facing the properties and alterations to the internal layout.
During the debate Councillor Frank Allen (LD, Swindon Village) spoke against the plans.
He said the attempt to put conditions on the plans “were like trying to put sellotape on the Titanic”.
“There are parts of this application that I do not find acceptable,” he said. The lack of lifts planned within the school blocks for children with disabilities was another of his concerns.
“It shows disregard for the process,” he said. Cllr Simon Wheeler (LD, Hester’s Way) said he felt there would be very little of the building seen from nearby gardens although it would be seen from bedroom windows.
He agreed it was not particularly good but they are constantly told nobody has the right to a view. “I don’t think it could be classed as overbearing”, he said.
“I don’t feel that’s a planning objection we could use.”
However, Cllr Wheeler said he would like to reject it on sustainability grounds due to the lack of solar panels and air source heat pumps in the proposals.
Councillor Tony Oliver (LD, Warden Hill) said he had great difficulty in turning the plans down.
“No one is entitled to a view. They are entitled to light. I feel very sorry for the residents but I can’t turn this down.”
Cllr Barbara Clark (LD, All Saints) said the building is “too imposing”. She said they could have designed something “beautiful”.
“It’s not architecturally pleasing. OK, people outside won’t see it,” she said.
“If it were beautiful it would be like putting lipstick on a gorilla, frankly. Nothing around it is very beautiful to look at,” she said.
“With the sellotape on the Titanic and the lipstick on the Gorilla, what I’m thinking about is would I want that?
“I don’t agree that it had to be that high. That ugly, fine – that’s not my taste.”
She said she was willing to reject the scheme. Chairman Garth Barnes (LD, College) said it would be dangerous to reject the scheme on privacy and overlooking grounds.
Cllr Allen said there was still a case that wheelchair access to the classroom should be provided. He proposed rejection due to the unacceptable impact on the local amenity due to light pollution and the height of the building close to the homes.
The committee voted on the officer’s recommendation first to approve the plans.
The vote was tied at five in favour and five against. Chairman Barnes, who voted in favour of granting permission, used his casting vote to break the deadlock and grant permission.
By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com