City primary school plans to enhance facilities for its staff and pupils have been greenlit, in spite of objections from the public tallying in double figures. The planning arm of Sunderland City Council has stamped its approval on a proposal set forth for George Washington Primary School in Washington.
The Oak Learning Trust, which is at the helm of the multi-academy trust supervising the school, had submitted an application to erect a single-storey edifice housing offices, meeting rooms, and support spaces, complemented by additional parking slots. Plans put forward before council chiefs earlier declared that the structure would “provide workstations for the staff of Oak Learning Trust who manage the school” as well as “spaces supporting the operation of the school”.
Reports concluded that currently, Oak Learning Trust operatives are posted in quarters which are “currently based in unsuitable spaces” within the confines of the primary school premises, with a design and access statement attesting that the new construction will usher in manifold advantages.
This includes availing dedicated zones earmarked for the central task force of the trust conducting tasks from the school site, assembling areas for the school’s executive team, and venues for SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), scholastic as well as socio-emotional health interventional sessions and confabs with parents and students alike.
Council papers further underlined that the versatile establishment is envisioned to act as a “centralised administrative base for the trust”, where conclave spaces would nurture collaboration opportunities among other Washington-situated schools tied with the trust “on matters of strategic importance”.
The council report revealed that access would be provided “via an existing car park which serves visitors to the school and which, in of itself, takes access from Highfields Manor”. However, during a council consultation on the plans, 16 public objections were raised, many from residents of Highfields Manor.
These objections included concerns about privacy, noise, highway safety, parking pressures, such as potential “indiscriminate parking due to intensification of use”, and exacerbation of existing drainage issues. Some comments also suggested exploring alternative sites, loss of property value and the plans worsening existing drainage problems.
The council report noted that the school’s trust had attempted to explore alternative options including rentable office space within Washington, but no opportunities arose. It was added that while other locations were available across the wider region, these were overlooked due to the strategic importance of being close to the trust’s schools.
After assessing the planning application against planning policies, Sunderland City Council’s planning department approved it on December 20, 2024. The council planners deemed the plans acceptable as they were within an “existing urban area [and] in a sustainable location, and [would] operate ancillary to the primary educational use”.
The council’s decision report stated: “The local highways authority has been in receipt of sufficient information to assess the robustness of submitted details […] and concluded that, subject to fulfilling the requirements of a recommended condition, the proposed development will not give rise to unacceptable impacts that would prejudice nor compromise the highway network.
“Overall, given the comments from the council’s local highway authority, it is considered that the proposed development, subject to compliance with the abovementioned condition, as recommended, would have no unacceptable impacts on the highway network in terms of capacity or safety.
“Furthermore, the local highways authority is satisfied that the proposed development can be served with adequate in-curtilage parking provision and accessed appropriate to the amenity of the locality. ” The planning documents from the applicant revealed that the new building’s curtilage would include eight new parking spaces, one of which would be fully accessible and another for an electric vehicle, as well as cycle storage spaces.
The wider development’s proponents claimed it would “facilitate the future growth of the Oak Learning Trust and improve George Washington Primary School’s capacity to provide top-notch education and additional specialist support services.” A planning supporting statement submitted to council officials highlights that the plans would “allow the school to better support its most vulnerable families and children” and would “free up space in the school that can be used for educational purposes”.
The plans also aim to “provide separate meeting spaces for the trust and George Washington Primary School leadership team to focus on strategic development while still supporting the school by being on-site”.
The planning supporting statement further added: “By investing in this ancillary new building on the George Washington Primary School site, the trust will improve the quality of education it can offer to its pupils by moving existing staff from spaces within the school designed for education (not administration) by offering dedicated workspaces for central staff members, and providing additional space away from the main school building where sensitive and effective support, intervention and meetings can take place.
“The trust believes this new building accommodating the functions described above will improve its offer to its children, families and communities.” Under planning conditions, the development must be initiated within three years. For more details on the plan or council decision, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search reference: 24/01733/FU4.
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