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Halton Borough Council

Building Schools for the Future

Planning Brief

March 2009

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Halton

Building Schoolsfor the Future

Operational DirectorEnvironmental and Regulatory ServicesEnvironment DirectorateHalton Borough CouncilRutland HouseHalton LeaRuncornWA7 2GW

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Halton Building Schools for the FuturePlanning Brief

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Contents

1 Introduction 3

2 Background to BSF 4Development Objectives Relevant to all Schools 4

3 Planning Policy Relevant to all Schools 5

National Planning Policy 5Regional Planning Policy 6Local Policy 7

4 Subject Specific Policy 10Design Approach 10Site Layout/Building Heights 10Sunlight 10Air Quality 10Noise 11Materials and Boundary Treatments 11Accommodation during Construction 11Access and Inclusive Design 11Accessibility and Transport 11Landscaping 12Sustainability, Energy Efficiency and GreenConstruction 12Ground Conditions 13Flood Risk 13Ecology 14Archaeology 14Built Heritage 14

5 Validation Checklist 15

6 References 16

7 Abbreviations 17

AppendicesAppendix 1 – St Peter and Paul Catholic College 19Appendix 2 – The Bankfield School 27Appendix 3 – Wade Deacon School 35Appendix 4 – Halton High School 43Appendix 5 – St Chad’s Catholic High School 51Appendix 6 – The Bridge School 57Appendix 7 – The Grange ComprehensiveSchool 63Appendix 8 – The Heath Specialist TechnologyCollege 71Appendix 9 – Cavendish School 79


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1 IntroductionThe purpose of this Detailed Planning Brief is toset guidance for the redevelopment of theschools within the Halton Borough, underHalton’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF)initiative. The programme for Halton includes12 existing schools, 3 of which are SpecialEducation Needs (SEN) schools, and one ofwhich is a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU).

The sites covered by this Detailed Planning Briefare the nine sites where redevelopment(including both refurbishment and new build) willtake place. These are:

1. St Peter & Paul Catholic College, locatedat Highfield Road, Widnes;

2. The Bankfield, located at Liverpool Road,Widnes;

3. Wade Deacon High School, located atBirchfield Road, Widnes;

4. Halton High School, located at BarnfieldAvenue, Murdishaw, Runcorn;

5. St. Chads Catholic High School, located atGrangeway, Halton Lodge, Runcorn,

6. The Bridge/KS4 Gateway, located atChadwick Road, Astmoor, Runcorn;

7. The Grange Comprehensive, located atLatham Avenue, Runcorn;

8. The Heath, located at Clifton Road,Runcorn; and

9. Cavendish School, located at LincolnClose, Runcorn.

Where policies or guidance apply to all (ormost) of the sites, they are set out in this maindocument. Separate appendices are thenprovided for each school, which highlight any sitespecific policies, information known about thesite (from a range of surveys already completed)and details of the potential development at thatsite. Where no information is provided about asubject within the Appendix, this implies that the

issue is not relevant for the site or it does notdiffer from the information provided in the maindocument. Information from surveys is onlyprovided where something of significance hasbeen identified at a site.Details provided of proposed development arebased on indicative Control Options, which arebeing developed as part of the BSF process, todemonstrate a design that would meet theeducational and planning objectives for the site.Whilst the submitted planning applications maydiffer to the indicative Control Optionspresented, many of the design concepts willremain relevant.


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2 Background to BSF The Building Schools for the Future (BSF)programme will see every state secondaryschool in England – around 3,500 in total –rebuilt or remodelled over the lifetime of theprogramme.Launched by the Department for Education &Skills in February 2004, BSF is the largest andmost ambitious scheme of its kind anywhere inthe world. It will transform education for some3.3 million students aged 11-19. The scale of BSF enables will allow HaltonBorough Council to move from patch and mendspending on schools to rebuild and renewal, witha more strategic approach to funding, design,procurement and management of buildings. Halton Borough Council is in Wave 6 of the BSFprogramme, with approximately £120 million ofinvestment available to transform the borough’sSecondary and Special Schools.

Development Objectives Relevant to all Schools The programme aims to:� Create learning environments which

inspire all young people to unlock hiddentalents and reach their full potential;provide teachers with 21st century workplaces; and provide access to facilitieswhich can be used by all members of thelocal community;

� Achieve Halton Borough Councils Visionand Strategy for Change for localeducation to be realised, as well asdelivering significant benefits andregeneration opportunities to the localcommunity;

� Reduce carbon emissions from schools,with all buildings making the most, wherepossible, of sustainable features to helpprotect the environment and reduceoverheads;

Development objectives for the schools include:� Develop buildings of a high quality design

which respect the local character andnearby designations. Good design will alsohelp to reduce bullying and other anti-social behaviours through the use of goodquality, thoughtful design. Wider corridorsand toilet blocks located near toclassrooms and staff rooms allow theseareas to be ‘passively’ supervised;

� Improve access arrangements to the siteand create a safe environment forpedestrians, cyclists and for pupils andadults with disabilities;

� Improve sporting facilities and providesports provision in line with SportsEngland specifications;

� Minimise the effect on the surroundingresidential area;

� Provide sustainable access to each site;and

� Improve Space and Recreation for bothpupils and the local communities that theschools serve, thus improving health andsocial well being across the board.


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3 Planning PolicyRelevant to all Schools The relevant planning policy guidance at national,regional and local level will be considered whenassessing the merits of the application for eachof the sites. This includes:

National Planning Policy� Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering

Sustainable Development (PPS1) identifiessustainable development as the coreprincipal underpinning planning. It statesthat effective planning facilitates andpromotes sustainable and inclusivepatterns of development. Planning shouldseek to maintain and improve the localenvironment and help mitigate against theeffects of declining environmental quality.PPS1 also highlights the importance ofhigh quality design of any newdevelopment.

� Planning Policy Statement: Planning andClimate Change – Supplement to PPS1

sets out how regional and local planningcan best support the government’s drivefor carbon emissions from all buildings,whilst meeting a community need foreconomic development.

� Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversityand Geological Conservation (PPS9)

states that protected species are amaterial consideration in determiningplanning applications and sets out theGovernments planning policies onprotection of biodiversity and geologicalconservation through the planning system.

� Planning Policy Guidance 13: Transport(PPG13) emphasises Central Governmentstrategy of ensuring that land use planningis a key role in delivering their integratedtransport strategy. Planners should seek to

shape the pattern of development andinfluence the location, scale, density anddesign of proposals; thus, reducing theneed to travel, reducing the length ofjourneys and making it safer and easier forpeople to access jobs, shopping, leisurefacilities and services by public transport,walking and cycling.

� Planning Policy Guidance 15: Planning andthe Historic Environment (PPG15)

outlines the Government’s advice todevelopers and local authorities in theirconsideration of development proposalsaffecting amongst other Listed Buildingsand their setting, Conservation Areas andhistoric buildings.

� Planning Policy Guidance 16: Archaeologyand Planning (PPG16) outlines theSecretary of State’s policy onarchaeological remains and how theyshould be preserved or recorded. It givesparticular attention to the discovery andhandling of archaeological remains underdevelopment plans and control systems.

� Planning Policy Guidance 17: Planning forOpen Space, Sport and Recreation

(PPG17) identifies a need for welldesigned and implemented strategies foropen space, sport and recreation in orderto deliver the Governments keyobjectives; which comprise supporting anurban renaissance, the promotion of socialinclusion and community cohesion,improving health and well being andpromoting more sustainable development.Further, PPG17 endeavours to considerthe needs of local communities in orderto ensure effective planning for openspace, sport and recreation.

� Planning Policy Guidance 24: Planning andNoise (PPG24) provides advice on howthe planning system can be used tominimise the adverse impact of noisewithout placing unreasonable restrictions


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on development or adding unduly to thecosts and administrative burdens ofbusiness.

� Planning Policy Statement 25: Flood Risk(PPS25) aims to ensure that flood risk istaken into account at all stages in theplanning process to avoid inappropriatedevelopment in areas at risk of flooding,and to direct development away fromareas at higher risk.

Regional Planning PolicyThe policies of the North West of England Plan:Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021 (AdoptedSeptember 2008):� Policy DP2 seeks to Promote Sustainable

Communities in order to meet thediverse needs of existing and futureresidents, promote community cohesionand equality and diversity, be sensitive tothe environment, and contribute to a highquality of life. Particularly, by improving thehealth and educational attainment of theregion’s population, reducing presentinequalities.

� Policy DP3 Promote SustainableEconomic Development states sustainableeconomic growth should be supportedand promoted. This policy alsoencourages reductions of economic,environmental, education, health andother social inequalities.

� Policy DP5 Manage Travel Demand,Reduce the Need to Travel and Increase

Accessibility seeks to reduce the need totravel, especially by car, and to enablepeople as far as possible to meet theirneeds locally. Safe and sustainable accessfor all, particularly by public transport,between homes and employment and arange of services and facilities should bepromoted, and should influence locationalchoices and investment decisions.

� Policy DP7 Promote EnvironmentalQuality by understanding and respectingthe character and distinctiveness of placesand landscapes. Promoting good qualitydesign in new development and ensuringthat development respects its setting isalso essential.

� Policy L1 Health, Sport, Recreation,Cultural and Education Services

Provision states proposals should ensurethat there is provision for all members ofthe community. The full spectrum ofeducation, training and skills provision aswell as sport, recreation and culturalfacilities should be provided.

� Policy RT2 Managing Travel Demandseeks to reduce private car use throughthe introduction of ‘smarter choices’ andother incentives to change travelbehaviour which should be developedalongside public transport, cycling andpedestrian network and serviceimprovements. Proposals should alsoconsider the effective reallocation of roadspace in favour of public transport,pedestrians and cyclists alongside parkingcharges, enforcement and provision andother fiscal measures, including road usercharging;

� Policy RT9 Walking and Cycling statesLocal Authorities should work withpartners to develop integrated networksof continuous, attractive and safe routesfor walking and cycling to widenaccessibility and capitalise on theirpotential environmental, social and healthbenefits. A high priority should be given toroutes linking residential areas withemployment areas, transport interchanges,schools, hospitals and other communityservices.


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Local PolicyThe adopted development plan for Halton is theSaved Policies of the Halton UnitaryDevelopment Plan (Adopted 2005 - SavedMarch 2008). Policies that will apply at all theschool sites include:� Policy Built Environment 1 (BE1) General

Requirements for Development seeks toensure development is of a high quality ofdesign that respects or where necessarycreates local distinctiveness. It mustinclude a carefully designed landscapescheme that reflects the essentialcharacter of the area and the use of thenew buildings. It must be compatible withexisting and proposed surrounding uses.

� Policy Built Environment 2 (BE2) QualityDesign will be assessed against layout,density, scale, massing, height, materials,landscape, access, accessibility, publicrealm issues, topography and site levels,local distinctiveness & character andenergy conservation.

� Policy Built Environment 18 (BE18)Access to New Buildings Used by the

Public seeks to provide a suitable meansof access to the building, particularly forpeople with disabilities or restrictedmobility, which is well sign-posted andeasily accessed from adjoining streets,pedestrian routes and car parks.

� Policy Green Environment 6 (GE6)Protection of Designated Greenspace

seeks to restrict development within areasof Greenspace. Exceptions may be made,including where development on part ofthe site would fund improvements thatwould raise the overall amenity of the site,or where a developer provides suitablereplacements of greenspace of at leastequal size and amenity value. Anadditional exception arises in the case ofgreenspace in educational use, which is

specifically required for educationalpurposes.

Policy GE6 applies to all sites, with the exceptionof The Bridge School.� Policy Green Environment 8 (GE8)

Development within Designated

Greenspace states development will bepermitted on designated greenspace if it isrequired for recreation and interpretiveuses, if its function is directly related andancillary to the use and enjoyment ofgreenspace. In addition, development foreducational purposes would be permittedon designated greenspace in educationaluse provided that it would not conflictwith policy GE12.

Policy GE8 applies to all sites, with the exceptionof The Bridge School.� Policy Green Environment 9 (GE9)

Redevelopment and Change of Use of

Redundant School Buildings outlines afurther exception to policy GE6, statingthat the redevelopment of redundantschools buildings (washed over bygreenspace designation) by theconstruction of buildings covering a similarbuilt area and of similar bulk will bepermitted.

Policy GE9 applies to all sites, with the exceptionof The Bridge School.� Policy Green Environment 10 (GE10):

Protection of Linkages in the Greenspace

System seeks to protect the Borough’snetwork of interconnecting greenspaces,which provide important visual, physical,functional and structural linkages. Thepolicy outline the circumstances in whichdevelopment that detrimentally affectedthe greenspace system would not bepermitted.


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Policy GE10 applies to all sites, with theexception of the Heath and The Bridge School.� Policy Green Environment 12 (GE12)

Protection of Outdoor Playing Space for

Formal Sport and Recreation gives thecriteria for which the development ofoutdoor playing space, including pitches,courts, greens and athletics tracks, wouldbe permitted. Firstly, development wouldbe permitted if it can be demonstratedthat there is an excess of playing fieldprovision. Development would also bepermitted if it could be demonstrated thatthe existing facilities are of a poor qualityand are underused, and that developmenton a small part of playing space wouldfund improvements that enhance thequality of these facilities and their usage.Finally, development will also be permittedif the developer provides a suitablereplacement facility.

Policy GE12 applies to all sites, with theexception of The Bridge School.� Policy Green Environment 13 (GE13)

Intensifying Use of Existing Outdoor

Sports and Recreation Provision notesthat proposals to increase the use andavailability of existing outdoor sports andrecreation provision will be permittedprovided that they would not have adetrimental effect on adjacent land usesor the highways, or create other highwaydangers.

Policy GE13 applies to all sites, with theexception of The Bridge School and Halton HighSchool.� Policy Green Environment 15 (GE15)

Protection of Outdoor Playing Space for

Children states proposals fordevelopment that would result in the lossof outdoor playing space for children willnot be permitted unless a) the existing

facilities are sub-standard anddevelopment on part of the site wouldfund improvements that significantlyenhance the quality, safety and variety ofthese facilities or b) suitable replacementfacilities are provided.

Policy GE15 applies to all sites, with theexception of The Bridge School and Halton HighSchool.� Policy Green Environment 21 (GE21)

Species Protection seeks to preventunacceptable harm to a species of flora orfauna protected under national orinternational legislation. Criteria areoutlined where development will bepermitted.

� Policy Green Environment 27 (GE27)Protection of Trees and Woodlands seeksto restrict development which is likely todamage or destroy a tree protected by aTree Preservation Order or a tree withina Conservation Area or woodland whichis greater than 0.25ha in size, has morethan 50% canopy and is more than fiftyyears old.

� Policy Pollution and Risk 1 (PR1) AirQuality states development will not bepermitted where it is likely to have anunacceptable effect on air quality. Thephrase 'unacceptable effect' includesconsideration of; amenity of the localenvironment, public health, air qualitystandards, surrounding land uses and thepotential to pollute.

� Policy Pollution and Risk 2 (PR2) NoiseNuisance states development will not bepermitted which contains any new noisesource likely to cause a significant increasein ambient noise levels for either day ornight time conditions and where it is likelyto affect land allocated for residential orany other existing noise sensitive landuses.


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� Policy Pollution and Risk 16 (PR16)Development and Flood Risk advises aFlood Risk Assessment will be requiredwhere it is considered that there wouldbe an increased risk of flooding as a resultof the development or the developmentitself would be at risk of flooding.

� Policy Transport 12 (TP12) Car Parkingrecommended appropriate levels of off-street car parking as part of newdevelopment in the interests of highwaysafety.

� Policy Transport 14 (TP14) TransportAssessment will be required to beprovided as part of any proposal foremployment, residential, retail, leisure,services, education and healthdevelopment that will have significanttransport implications.

� Policy Transport 15 (TP15) Accessibilityto New Development notes developmentwhich increases traffic to undesirablelevels will not be permitted, unlessimprovements to the transport network,including public transport links andpedestrian and cycling routes, to alleviatetraffic problems can be made.

� Policy Transport 16 (TP16) Green TravelPlans will be required for proposals whichcomprise of new and expanded schoolfacilities (school travel plan).

� Policy Transport 18 (TP18) TrafficManagement states development will berequired to incorporate trafficmanagement and traffic calming measureswherever such measures wouldencourage walking and cycling, improvehighway safety and improve the quality oflocal neighbourhoods.

� Strategic Policy 13 (S13) Transport statesthat a safe, efficient and inclusiveintegrated transport system andinfrastructure will be developed in Halton.Identified measures include; promote an

integrated transport system, sustainableeconomic growth in sustainable locations,improve accessibility for all and protectand enhance the environment.

Additional policies apply to some schoolsdepending on their location. Where this is thecase, those are listed in the site specific appendixrelevant to that site.

Halton Local DevelopmentFrameworkPolicies within Halton UDP were savedautomatically for three years after the UDP’sadoption on 7th April 2005. The Secretary ofState has confirmed that the vast majority ofthese policies will be saved beyond 6th April2008. Halton Borough Council has begun work on itsLocal Development Framework (LDF). TheCore Strategy is the overarching documentwithin the LDF which will set out a vision, spatialobjectives and core policies for the futuredevelopment of the Borough to 2026.Documents detailing issues and options for theCore Strategy were available for publicconsultation for a 6 week period between 27thJuly and 7th September 2006. It is anticipatedthat a Preferred Options document for theHalton Core Strategy will be published for publicconsultation in September 2009. As the HaltonCore Strategy and other Development PlanDocuments within the Halton LDF emerge, thesaved policies of the Halton UDP will bereplaced. However, until that time, the HaltonUDP is considered to be generally up to date.


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4 Subject Specific Policy

Design ApproachThe redevelopment of the site will accord withSaved Policies of the Halton UnitaryDevelopment Plan (UDP). The design of theschools will be of a high quality in keeping withthe surroundings and providing modern facilitiesto enable sufficient standards for provision ofeducational accommodation. New BSF schools need to be well designed andcompletely relevant to the immediaterequirements for the delivery of the curriculumbut also need to be sufficiently flexible internallyto respond to future changes in methods ofeducation delivery. As well as having goodteaching spaces, the spaces need to be carefullygrouped to provide a convenient and cohesivecurriculum delivery. With faculty based schools,the various areas need to have their ownidentities and also need to belong to the wholeschool complex. The completed school will belegible if it is to be a successful building. Thislegibility will convey clarity of purpose to pupils,staff, parents and visitors.As well as higher quality and well arrangedteaching spaces the building itself must performwell in terms of providing good levels of naturallight, natural ventilation and thermalperformance. In situ concrete construction willbe favoured which will provide thermal mass toprovide a slow response to extremes oftemperature and to allow night time cooling tobe effective. External materials will be durableand sustainable and will be maintenance free. Inareas where there is a strong architecturalcharacter the new buildings will be designed insympathy with their surroundings.

Site Layout/Building Heights

Any new buildings should adopt a layout, and beof a scale and massing which respects that of thesurrounding street pattern, and should bedesigned to take into account any impacts onthe privacy of surrounding residential properties,as well as avoid creating an undue sense ofovershadowing or enclosure relative to nearbyresidential properties.

The height of any new buildings close toresidential properties would need to be lower toavoid adverse impacts in terms of over-dominance, overshadowing, and loss of light, andwould need to be designed to avoid a loss ofprivacy to these dwellings.

Sunlight Sunlight and Daylight Studies will be required toensure that there would be no adverse impactson existing residential properties. The impacts onovershadowing on the open space and playareas within the site also needs to be taken intoconsideration

Air QualityAn Air Quality desktop study (Scott Wilson,2008a) has been carried out in accordance withPlanning Policy Statement 23: Planning andPollution Control (PPS 23). Each development must comply with HaltonUDP Saved Policy PR1: Air Quality, for which“Development will not be permitted where it islikely to have an unacceptable effect on airquality.” The scope and duration of any air quality surveyswould need to be agreed with the Council’sEnvironmental Health Officer in advance, andshould take into account traffic emissions andtraffic increases.Appropriate mitigation will be implementedduring demolition or new build constructionworks, to protect residential properties within


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100 m, from amenity effects.NoiseBaseline Noise Surveys (Scott Wilson, 2008a)have been carried out in accordance withPlanning Policy Guidance 24: Planning and Noise(PPG 24). The development must comply with HaltonUDP Saved Policy PR2: Noise Nuisance andHalton UDP Saved Policy PR8: Noise SensitiveDevelopments.The Halton UDP requires new noise sources tonot significantly increase the existing backgroundlevelAlso, in accordance with ‘Building Bulletin 93:Acoustic Design of Schools’ (BB93) guidance,noise measurement surveys have been carriedout on all nine sites by Scott Wilson. Theambient noise levels at all the sites exceed 45 dBwhich indicates that measures are required toprotect the buildings or playing fields fromexternal noise. Details of which will be includedwith any application. Where the schools do have considerableincreases in pupil numbers, the change in trafficflow will be predicted and the change in noiselevels assessed. Where schools are predicted tomore than double their pupil numbers, theincrease in noise arising from outdoor play areaswill need to be assessed in relation toneighbouring properties (this is discussed, whererelevant, in the site specific appendices).

Materials and Boundary TreatmentsMaterials, externals and boundary treatmentsshould be of demonstrably high quality, relatewell to the chosen architectural style in colourand texture and provide an appropriaterelationship to the surrounding area.Details of application will include details ofmaterials for each site and will take into accountthe surrounding area.

Accommodation duringConstructionIf the school is being kept open, a statement willbe submitted with the application stating howaccommodation works will be completed safelysafely, as part of the Construction ManagementPlan (CMP).

Access and Inclusive DesignA Design and Access Statement will beproduced for any Planning Applications relatingto the school sites.Facilities open to the public will meet therequirements of the Building Regulations. TheBuilding Regulations set standards for the designand construction of buildings to ensure thesafety and health for people in or about thosebuildings. They also include requirements toensure that facilities are provided for people,including those with disabilities, to access andmove around inside buildings.

Accessibility and Transport

Access PointsAccess points must be safe, compliant withstandards and should aim to reduce congestion.

TransportA Traffic and Transport Baseline Report (ScottWilson, 2008d) has been carried out inaccordance with Planning Policy Guidance 13:Transport (PPG 13). A Transport Statement (TS) or TransportAssessment (TA) will be prepared - dependingon development size - in accordance with theDepartment for Transport’s “Guidance onTransport Assessment”. Submission of a full TS or TA with any planningapplication is required in order to determine the


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implications of development on the local roadnetwork and pedestrian / cyclist flows. It alsoneeds to assess opportunities to travel to theschool site by bus, walking and cycling in a safemanner, taking into account existing accidentinformation. Reference will be made to the school’s SchoolTravel Plan (if one exists) and the School TravelPlan Officer in the Council’s TransportationDivision. This will enable any particular travelrelated issues to be identified. When appropriateto do so, site specific recommendations will beincluded in the School Travel Plan.The School Travel Plan it will assist pupils andparents in identifying healthy and sustainabletransport options and help to reduce thenumbers of cars on the road at peak times. Inaddition, it will contribute to the improvement ofthe environment around the school, and willencourage staff to use alternatives to single-occupancy car-use.To adhere to Halton UDP Saved Policy TP12:Car Parking, appropriate levels of off-street carparking as part of new development, will beconsidered, in the interests of highway safety.During the construction phase, there is potentialfor negative impacts of the construction trafficon the surrounding areas with regards to noise,safety concerns, parking, major delays due toturning delivery trucks, etc. By implementing aConstruction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP),it will be possible to manage the magnitude ofany negative impacts.

Landscaping The development must comply with HaltonPlaying Pitch Strategy (PMP 2004) and SportEngland must be consulted on any application.Initial consultation has been carried out withSport England on the indicative Control Options.Sport England has confirmed proposals areacceptable, subject to agreement and disposal ofland at Fairfield and Ashley schools.

Landscaping around the buildings will need to beof a high quality. Consideration of theimportance of any trees or areas of planting onthe site will be taken into account, and provisionshould be made within the development forcommensurate replacement planting. Theredevelopment of each site will need to takeinto account the value of the landscape andnatural environment of the site. This couldinclude consideration of the provision and natureof open space within the site, with reference tothe Council’s Open Space Study (PMP 2005).Consultation with the Council’s LandscapeServices Division would facilitate this.A Tree Survey (Scott Wilson, 2008f) has beencarried out for all sites in accordance withHalton UDP Saved Policy GE 27: Protection ofTrees and Woodlands.

Sustainability, Energy Efficiency andGreen ConstructionThe Council have developed a Local Authoritycarbon management plan and any design shouldtake cognisance of its aims.In order to promote sustainable development,new developments should take account of theimpact they have on Halton’s natural resourcesand environmental assets. Developments canachieve this by improving energy efficiency,increasing the proportion of energy use fromrenewable sources, minimising the use of treatedwater, using rainwater harvesting and grey waterrecycling schemes and incorporating SustainableUrban Drainage Systems (SUDS). SUDS shouldbe particularly applied to introduce permeablepaving materials instead of large areas ofimpermeable hard landscaping.The contractor should ensure sustainabilitythrough selection of materials and as far aspossible source materials and labour locally tominimise on carbon emissions.The Council will expect the developer to submita Sustainability Appraisal (SA) as part of the


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planning application. The assessment shoulddemonstrate how the impacts of any newdevelopment as well as refurbishment onenvironmental, social and economic factors havebeen taken into account, including how theabove measures would be incorporated into thedevelopment proposal.The integration of at least one form ofrenewable technology should be considered asthis would have direct educational value, forexample the renewable technology could beconnected to a display board which shows liveenergy saving and CO2 emissions savings. The planning application should also beaccompanied by an Energy Assessment.The increase in rainfall intensities in relation toclimate change will need to be considered in thedesign of the proposed drainage system atdetailed design stage, as advised in Annex A ofPlanning Policy Statement 25: Flood Risk (PPS25).Halton Borough Council require that all newlyconstructed buildings (including the proposedschool developments) will achieve a rating ofBREEAM Good with aspiration for Very Goodwhere practicable. BREEAM stands for theBuilding Research Establishment EnvironmentalAssessment Method. The design will consider the management,energy use, land use and ecology, water use,health and wellbeing of users, transport facilities,building materials and reduction of potentialpollutants of the buildings.

Ground Conditions A Geotechnical and Environmental SiteInvestigation Report (RPS 2008) has beencarried out, and its findings must be taken intoconsideration when finalising the layout anddesign of the schools.

The applications for the sites will include a Phase1 Ground Contamination Survey as a minimum

and any necessary remediation must beundertaken as part of construction.Flood RiskA Flood Risk Appraisal (Scott Wilson, 2008c)has been carried out in accordance with PPS 25and submitted with the applications.

GroundwaterThe Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)(2007) for Halton Borough Council highlights thepotential for groundwater flooding and suggeststhat appropriate mitigation should be included inany developments. For the Halton BSF development it isrecommended that all new buildings includingthose on existing school sites incorporateminimum finished floor levels 150 mm abovesurrounding ground levels. This will help protectagainst the risk of flooding from sewerageinfrastructure and overland flow routes duringintense rainfall events. The SFRA also suggestsusing flood resilient construction techniques.The Environment Agency (EA) established thatground water flooding for each site should beconsidered individually during design of thedevelopment, and that drainage should bedesigned in accordance with the SUDS Manual(2007), under recommendations that thereshould be a betterment of proposed runoff ratescompared to current rates. This rate will bedetermined by United Utilities or the EA.The use of infiltration based SUDS is dependentupon the underlying ground condition, thus it isrecommended that infiltration tests areundertaken on each site to determine thesuitability of this procedure. All infiltrating SUDSwill need to comply with the requirements ofthe Groundwater Regulations.

Surface Water PPS25 advises that potential overland flowpatterns from fluvial sources should be takeninto account in the spatial planning of new


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developments. Therefore, the finished groundlevels will be designed to channel overland flowto a low point away from buildings oraccess/egress routes, where possible. There may be a significant increase in the levelof impermeability as a result of the proposeddevelopment, therefore the drainage systemshould be designed to accommodate eventexceedence and not increase the risk of floodingon adjacent land.

EcologyAn Ecological Walkover and External Bat RoostPotential Survey (Scott Wilson, 2008b) havebeen carried out for the sites in accordance withPlanning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity andGeological Conservation (PPS 9).

BirdsAny required vegetation clearance works shouldbe undertaken outside the breeding bird season(approximately between March and September)at all school sites. If vegetation clearance worksare scheduled to be undertaken within thebreeding bird season, these areas should bechecked for nesting birds prior to the start ofworks, by a suitably qualified ecologist. Ifevidence of nesting species is discovered, worksshould be suspended until the young have fullyfledged.

BatsSufficient information will be provided withapplications regarding potential for bat roostswithin structures at the sites under theConservation (Natural Habitats Etc) Regulations1994.

ArchaeologyA Heritage Assessment (Scott Wilson, 2008e)has been carried in accordance Planning PolicyGuidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic

Environment (PPG 15) and no furtherarchaeological work is recommended to beundertaken on any of these sites.

Built HeritageA Heritage Assessment (Scott Wilson, 2008e)has been carried out in accordance PlanningPolicy Guidance Note 15: Planning and theHistoric Environment (PPG 15). Two schoolsites contain buildings that are historically andarchaeology important; Wade Deacon HighSchool and Halton High School. Sites 1 and 2and 5 to 9 are of no historic or archaeologicalinterest.


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5 Validation ChecklistThe planning application must include thefollowing:

� Application Form;� Location Plan at 1:1250 or 1:2500;� Site Plan at 1:500 or 1:200;� Block Plan at 1:200;� Existing and Proposed Plan at 1:50 or

1:100;� Existing and Proposed Site Sections and

Finished Floor and Site Plans at 1:50 or1:100;

� A Roof Plan at 1:50 or 1:100; and� The appropriate Planning Application Fee

In addition to the above information that mustbe submitted with your application, the followinginformation will also be required:� A Design and Access Statement � Construction Traffic Management Plan� Ecological Walkover and External Bat

Roost Potential Survey (Scott Wilson,2008b)

� Flood Risk Assessment � Landscaping Details/ Plans� Noise Assessment � Parking Provision/ Details� Phase 1 Ground Contamination Survey � Site Waste Management Plan� Statement of Community Involvement� Sunlight and Daylight Studies� Sustainability Appraisal � Transport Statement or Transport

Assessment � Travel Plan� Tree Survey (Scott Wilson, 2008f)


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6 References

Communities and Local Government (2006)PPS 25Flood Risk

Environment Agency (2006) Managing Japaneseknotweed

Government Office for the North West (2008)Regional Spatial Strategy to 2021 (AdoptedSeptember 2008):

Halton Borough Council (2005) Saved Policiesof the Halton Unitary Development Plan(Adopted 2005 - Saved March 2008)

Halton Borough Council (2004) Playing PitchStrategy

Halton Borough Council (2005) Open SpaceSurvey

Halton Borough Council (2007) Strategic FloodRisk Assessment

Office of the Deputy Prime Minster (2005) PPS1 Delivering Sustainable Development

Office of the Deputy Prime Minster (2005) PPS9 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation

Office of the Deputy Prime Minster (2001)PPG 13 Transport

Office of the Deputy Prime Minster (1994)PPG 15 Planning and the HistoricEnvironment

Office of the Deputy Prime Minster (1990)PPG 16 Archaeology and Planning

Office of the Deputy Prime Minster (2002)PPG 17 Planning for Open Space, Sport

and Recreation

Office of the Deputy Prime Minster (2004) PPS23 Planning & Pollution Control

Office of the Deputy Prime Minster (1994)PPG 24 Planning and Noise

RPS (2008) Geotechnical and Environmental SiteInvestigation Report

Scott Wilson (2008a) Air Quality Desktop Study

Scott Wilson (2008b) Ecological Walkover andExternal Bat Roost Potential Survey

Scott Wilson (2008c) Flood Risk Appraisal

Scott Wilson (2008d) Traffic and TransportBaseline Report

Scott Wilson (2008e) Heritage Assessment

Scott Wilson (2008f) Tree Survey

Scott Wilson (2008g) Topographical Surveys

Scott Wilson (2008h) Baseline Noise SurveyWallace Whittle (2008) Mechanical & ElectricalServices Survey


17

7 Abbreviations

ASD Autistic Spectrum DisorderBB93 Building Bulletin 93: Acoustic Design

of SchoolsBIP Behaviour Improvement ProgrammeBREEAM Building Research Establishment

Environmental Assessment Method. BSF Building Schools for the FutureCAMHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health

ServiceCLC Community Learning CentreCMP Construction Management Plan CRC Community Resource CentreCTMP Construction Traffic Management

PlanEA Environment AgencyHPSS High Performing Special SchoolKS Key StageLDF Local Development FrameworkNCSL National College for School

LeadershipPADHI Planning Advice for Development

near Hazardous InstallationsPPS 1 Planning Policy Statement 1:

Delivering Sustainable Development PPS 9 Planning Policy Statement 9:

Biodiversity and GeologicalConservation

PPG 13 Planning Policy Guidance 13:Transport

PPG 15 Planning Policy Guidance 15: Planningand the Historic Environment

PPG 16 Planning Policy Guidance 16:Archaeology and Planning

PPG 17 Planning Policy Guidance 17: Planningfor Open Space, Sport andRecreation

PPS 23 Planning Policy Statement 23:Planning and Pollution Control

PPG 24 Planning Policy Guidance 24: Planningand Noise

PPS 25 Planning Policy Statement 25: Flood

RiskPMLD Profound and Multiple Learning

DifficultiesSA Sustainability AppraisalSEN Special Education NeedsSFRA Strategic Flood Risk AssessmentSUDS Sustainable Urban Drainage SystemsTA Transport AssessmentTS Transport StatementPRU Pupil Referral UnitUDP Unitary Development PlanNEET Not Currently Engaged in

Employment, Education and TrainingICT Information and Communication

Technology KS Key Stage


18


19

The College is currently an 11-18 age rangeschool with a population of approximately 1350pupils. The proposal under BSF is for the schoolto become to continue to cater for the 11-18age range, and largely maintain its population of1350 pupils.

The vision for the college is focussed on a strongblend of learning and developmental outcomes

Appendix 1Saints Peter and PaulCatholic CollegeIntroduction The purpose of this Planning Guidance forDevelopment Control Purposes is to provideguidance specific to the redevelopment of SaintsPeter and Paul Catholic College as part ofHalton’s ‘Building Schools for the Future’ (BSF)Initiative (where it differs from that provided inthe main body of the document).

Halton Building Schools for the FutureAppendix 1 - St Peter and Paul Catholic College

based on the five outcomes of Every ChildMatters and intrinsically linked with therealisation of the College’s Mission Statementas a Catholic Learning Community. Thismeans that it has a vision to become abeacon for inclusion for all learners and tocreate a learning environment that buildsupon a strong history of building self esteemand a sense of belonging amongst studentsto continue recent success in developingdeep levels of core skills and excellentstandards of achievement and attainment in awide range of curriculum areas.

The college has aspirations to work with awide catchment community and improvesuccess in developing good outcomes forLooked After Children, students with specialeducation needs (SEN) and disabilities, andthe not in education, employment or training(NEET) population. Communication throughinformation and communication technologies(ICT) and strong literacy skills blend newtechnologies with core skills such as literacyand numeracy and to embed technologyfirmly in the pedagogical approach.The college has a clear goal to enhance

20

aspiration amongst local people and bringopportunity for community participation and lifelong learning with a range of activities such asSports and cultural activities.

The ProposalCurrent indicative Control Option proposals atthis site include the creation of three new schoolbuildings. Proposals also include a new atriumand areas of hard standing, as shown in thePossible OBC Control Option schematic,attached to the back of the document.

Site Description LocationSaints Peter and Paul Catholic College is locatednorth of the town centre of Widnes, near toWidnes train station, and is accessed viaHighfield Road. The school shares facilities,including playing pitches, with Wade DeaconHigh School, and is also located adjacent to atennis centre. To the west of the school site isWidnes Golf Course.

Physical DescriptionSaints Peter and Paul Catholic College coversapproximately 12 hectares; where approximately9,170 m2 of the site is covered by existingschool buildings.The existing School complex is approached via acurved driveway which leads to a centre pointalong the eastern frontage of the complex.Towards the north eastern frontage there is alarge car parking area.

The eastern aspect of the School buildings isvery modern and of a good quality and includesa City Learning Centre which has only recentlybeen constructed. At the northern end of theexisting complex is a good quality Sports Hall,including a recently built Dance area. The poorquality buildings are located to the rear of the

more impressive frontage and largely consist of1960s buildings, some of which are multi-storey.The 1960s buildings suffer from typical problemsof the period – i.e. excessive heat loss/solar gain,cramped teaching spaces and extremelyconstricted circulation areas, having seriousimplications upon the level of management andresponsibility required by pupils to use thebuildings effectively. There is also a serious lackof satisfactory and pleasant external social areaswhere pupils can gather to converse andinteract.

The main site is generally level, with the playingfields to the north located on sloping groundrising up to the railway further north. Much ofthe land at the northern end of the site lies atapproximately 23m AOD while the majority ofthe school site lies at approximately 21m AOD.This gives a slope across the site from north tosouth at a gradient of approx one in ten.Towards the northern end of the buildings thereis a generous area of green play pitches whichadjoin the Wade Deacon playing fields. To thewest of the existing buildings thee is a largeenclosed tennis centre.

Recent Relevant Planning History A search of the planning history for this site hasbeen carried out. There are various applicationsmade by and on behalf of Saints Peter and PaulCatholic College for the extension andremodelling of the school site. The most recentof which include:� 06/00087/FUL: Proposed single storey

linked extension to form new dancestudio.

� 05/00806/FUL: Proposed single storeyextension to form new dance studio

� 03/00540/EDU: Proposed demolition andre-building of link corridor andrefurbishments.

From the planning history it is possible to


21

conclude the site has remained as a school sinceits construction in the 1960s. The current schoolwas formed by the amalgamation of twoCatholic high schools: Fisher Moore and StJosephs.

Development Objectives Key Planning ObjectivesAny development at this location will need toconsider the following planning objectives:� improvements to public transport links

from northern and eastern Widnes. Thereis potential to introduce a new dedicatedschool bus service network and/or Parkand Ride facilities. There is also potentialto investigate the provision of a newpublic transport hub or interchangeshared between Wade Deacon and SaintsPeter and Paul Catholic College;

� gaps in the cycling and pedestrian networkneed to be addressed;

� Street parking capacity constraints in thevicinity of the school should be addressed.There is potential to introduce adedicated drop-off and pick-up facilitywithin the school grounds;

� any redevelopment should respect thevalue of the landscape and naturalenvironment of the site. This includesconsideration of the provision and natureof the open space within this site.Landscaping measures incorporating treesand areas of planting should also beconsidered; and

� development should respect the setting ofthe site including its relationship withsurrounding residential areas and theamenity and function of nearbygreenspace, including Widnes GolfCourse.

Key Planning IssuesAny development will be assessed against the


general policies outlined within section 3 of thePlanning Brief. Some of the key relevant policies for this siteare:� Saved Policies GE6, GE8 and GE9 of

Halton’s Unitary Development Plan.� UDP Policy TP9� UDP Policy GE10 also applies at this site,

and seeks to protect Halton’s greenspacesystem, as such development shouldmaintain and enhance greenspaces withvisual, physical, functional and structurallinkages. UDP Policy GE10 also provides alist of circumstances in whichdevelopment affecting the greenspacesystem would not be permitted. The lossof any playing field/playing space withinareas designated as greenspace wouldonly be permitted if the criteria withinUDP Policies GE12, GE13 and GE15 weremet.

Scheme Design Site Layout and Design ApproachAny redevelopment of the site will accord withthe Saved Policies of the UDP relating todevelopment in designated greenspace, withparticular reference to the criteria within policiesGE6 and GE8.

Any new development should respect thesetting of the site, including its relation toresidential areas, particularly on WoodlandAvenue, Highfield Road and Highfield Crescent.

It will also be beneficial for any development ofthe Saints Peter and Paul Catholic College site torespect the amenity and function of nearbygreenspace, including Widnes Golf Course tothe east and the designated potential greenwayto the west of the school site.

The indicative Control Option design consists of

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the retention of the Sports block, the CityLearning Centre and the new 6th Form and L-shaped LRC block. These three buildingsprovide a good quality frontage to the Schooland provide three useful entrance points to therear western spaces. On entering the rear ofthe site, behind these buildings, there is a largepaved area which is unfortunately obstructed byvarious 1960s buildings and suffers in qualitybecause of the unattractive aspect of thebuildings to the rear. The design will clear thisspace from north to south and this new socialarea or “city square” will by covered by a tentedstructure, providing the badly neededsocial/gathering space for pupils. The three new building blocks will beconstructed on the footprint of the existing1960s buildings. The northernmost of the threebuildings will contain the School Hall, the Gym,Music & Drama and the main Dining facility.This building will be in close proximity to theexisting Sports/Dance block and will comprise avery workable complex for the School itself andfor out of hours use by the community andother agencies. The middle block will containgeneral teaching rooms and the administrationand main reception area. The main receptionbeing at ground floor level will have good viewsof all of the city square space and also of thethree entry points at the front elevation. Thesouthernmost of the three new blocks will houseScience on the ground floor and generalteaching on the first floor. The Science facultywill be well related to the consolidatedTechnology and Art functions centred in the L-shaped block, also containing the existing LRCfacility and the 6th Form centre.

Building Heights and MassingAll new buildings will be at 2-storey height andwill blend sympathetically with a mix of 2 and 3storeys comprising the existing buildings.

The uncoordinated nature of the existing

complex will be entirely transformed byarranging the new buildings around the newcentral “city square” forming a cohesive group ofbuildings.

NoiseIn accordance with BB93, the noise levels acrossthe site are suitable for natural ventilation. Forstandard and practical classrooms a single sided,twin opening system is likely to provide sufficientattenuation. For SEN classrooms attenuatedvents will be required to maintain a naturalventilation strategy.

The noise levels at this site are suitable forplaygrounds, playing fields and outdoor teachingareas.

Materials and Boundary Treatments The materials of the new buildings will drawfrom some of the best aspects of the existingnewer buildings e.g. the use of art stone featuresand good quality brickwork, combined with hightech elements which will reflect the period inwhich the new buildings are constructed.

Accommodation during ConstructionThe intention will be to build from the north tothe south with some small amount of decantnecessary to make space for the firstnorthernmost building. An alternative phasingstrategy may be to construct a larger complex oftemporary accommodation to transfer thepopulation of the 1960s buildings in theirentirety to enable a speedier construction.

Access and CirculationThe Transport Statement or Assessment for thesite of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Collegemust consider:� improvements to public transport links

(including key bus service links to theSchool) from northern and easternWidnes, as well as improvement to


23

evening services for the college element,and increased revenue supportrequirements together with the need tocover for links to Riverside College’sCronton and Kingsway Campus so as tosupport the full introduction of 14-19diplomas in 2013;

� gaps in the cycling and walking network,to accommodate higher demandparticularly for east / west trips. Theseroutes should be enhanced to a highstandard, and cycle storage improvementsmade at the site along with provision forcyclist facilities such as showers;

� the introduction of a new dedicatedschool bus service network and/or Parkand Ride facilities. There is also potentialto investigate the provision of a newpublic transport hub or interchangeshared between Wade Deacon and SaintsPeter and Paul Catholic College (withgood quality pedestrian links to both sites)to optimise public transport linkages;

� impact on existing traffic congestionaround the school and at immediate linksand junctions at peak times;

� that there are on street parking capacityconstraints in the vicinity of the school;and

� the potential to introduce a dedicateddrop-off and pick-up facility within theschool grounds.

Any site-specific transport issues identified duringthe Transport Assessment or Statement must beaddressed within the planning application.

Playing FieldsIn the Halton Playing Pitch Strategy, Saints Peterand Paul Catholic College is located in AreaForum 2, which is shown to have a total excessof 8.3 playing pitches, including playing pitches ofall types.

Flood RiskIn accordance with Planning Policy Statement 25:Development and Flood Risk, to avoid excesssurface water run-off flowing towards the schoolbuildings, from the northern region of the site,the finished floor levels should allow for thepotential ponding of water during extremestorm events. This will avoid the flooding of thebuildings.

EcologyVegetation The Japanese knotweed at Saints Peter and PaulCatholic College should be treated or removed,if works are to be undertaken within 7 m of thestands, under Schedule 9, Section 14 (2) of theWildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (asamended) and the Environmental Protection Act1990.A fenced exclusion zone will be set up toprevent accidental disturbance by contractors, orin the event that the stand is within 7 m of theworks, that the plant will be eradicated. Sufficient


24

information will be provided to the contractorsregarding the potential treatment or removal ofJapanese knotweed.

The Environment Agency has published guidanceon the management of Japanese knotweed ‘TheKnotweed Code of Practice’ (EnvironmentAgency, 2006) which will be applied by thecontractors.

BatsA watching brief is recommended for themanual removal of hanging tiles on the threestorey building in the centre of the schoolcompound as it has Moderate bat roostpotential. This will need to be carried out by asuitably qualified ecologist to determine if batsare present.


25


26


27

The Bankfield School is currently an 11-16 agerange comprehensive school with a populationof approximately 830 pupils. The proposal underBSF is for the school to continue to cater for the11-16 age range, but to increase in number toaccommodate a population of 1050 pupils. Inaddition, to assist in the Authority’s Visionaround inclusion, and to help in rationalising theschools estate, Chesnut Lodge school will co-locate onto the site, with a population of 50

Appendix 2The Bankfield SchoolIntroductionThe purpose of this Planning Guidance forDevelopment Control Purposes is to provideguidance specific to the redevelopment of TheBankfield Comprehensive School and ChesnutLodge school as part of Halton’s ‘BuildingSchools for the Future’ (BSF) Initiative (where itdiffers from that provided in the main body ofthe document).

Halton Building Schools for the FutureAppendix 2 – The Bankfield School

pupils.

The Vision is for The Bankfield school to be co-located with Chesnut Lodge in a ‘LearningCampus’ arrangement in a “two schools – oneroof” building in which the schools take sharedownership of the whole community of studentsand provide the widest range of learningopportunities tailored to individual needs. Theschools particularly want to work together withstudents in Key Stage 3 (KS3).

Each school will have its distinct identity but willjointly provide new opportunities for wholefamily learning especially where siblings want toattend a mainstream school and special schoolrespectively; together the schools will make asignificant contribution to creating an aspirationalcommunity. The campus would include a rangeof facilities that would attract a diversepopulation of local people such as sports andgym facilities, a public library and study facilities.

The schools also have an aspiration to develop awide range of ‘one stop shop’ on-site multi-agency facilities including dental services andsocial services which are primarily for the use of

28

students and their families but which can beopened up to local residents and communitymembers.

As a Science Specialist school, the themes of‘opportunity and ‘discovery’ are important inboth the external and internal areas.

The ProposalThe indicative Control Option proposals at thislocation include the construction of onecohesive building to include Bankfield SecondarySchool and Chesnut Lodge School, as shown inthe Possible OBC Control Option schematic,attached to the back of this Appendix.

Site DescriptionLocationThe Bankfield School is located on LiverpoolRoad, in western Widnes. It is located in westernWidnes, close proximity to the railway linewhich runs from Liverpool to Manchester, nearHough Green Railway Station. The school issurrounded on all sides by residentialdevelopment and has its own playing fields tothe west of the school building.

Physical DescriptionThe site covers approximately 8.7 hectares, ofwhich approximately 6,000 m2 is covered byexisting school buildings. The existing site is bounded by residentialproperties on all four sides. On the southernboundary a gap in the housing provides spacefor the main entrance road which approachesthe current building complex at its centre point.Towards the east of the current complex thereare recently constructed buildings of brownbrickwork. The centre part of the site mostlyconsists of the original 1960s buildings, fairlytypical of the period and subject to some re-cladding in recent years in bright blue andyellow. To the west of the complex is a Sportsblock.

To the both sides of the existing access roadthere are pleasant grassed areas with recentlyplanted trees. There is an area of hard court tothe east of the driveway and to the west of thebuilding complex a multi use games area.Further east there are grassed playing fields. The site is relatively level with the schoolbuildings located to the east and the playingfields to the west. Although the site is relativelylevel, the northern edge of the main buildingsrange from approximately 22 – 23m AOD andat the southern side of the site, levels rangebetween 21 – 22m AOD.

Recent Relevant Planning History A search of the planning history for the BankfieldSchool site shows a series of planningapplications relating to the incremental extensionand remodelling of the school site. The mostrecent of which include:� 06/00402/HBCFUL: Proposed street

lighting to internal school access road� 05/00033/HBCEDU: Proposed two storey

extension comprising kitchen, dining roomand classrooms connected to existingbuilding by link block.

� 04/00925/HBCEDU: Proposed all weathersports pitch adjacent to existing playingfields.

From the planning history it is evident that theBankfield School site has been used foreducational purposes since its development inthe 1960s. Subsequent extensions haveexpanded the school, whilst the all-weathersports pitch to the west of the school building isanother notable development.

Development Objectives Key Planning ObjectivesAny redevelopment at Bankfield School shouldgive consideration to the following planningobjectives:


29

� public transport links from the northernand eastern Widnes are poor and needimproving. There is the potential tointroduce new school bus services andpark and ride facilities;

� gaps in the cycling and pedestrian networkwill need to be addressed, including eastand west links. Prescot Road Rail Bridgehas limited capacity for pedestrians andcyclists and should be improved;

� capacity at the Prescot/Liverpool Roadjunction may need to be examined. The isa potential need for parking restrictions onLiverpool Road as well as a need fordedicated drop-off and pick up areaswithin the school grounds;

� the provision of playing pitches should beconsidered in accordance with The HaltonPlaying Pitch Strategy which envisages theArea Forum 1 (of which Bankfield Schoolis located in) having an overall shortfall of1.4 playing pitches including playing pitchesof all types by 2012;


� development should respect the setting ofthe site including its relationship withsurrounding residential areas.

Key Planning IssuesAny development will be assessed against thepolicies outlined within section 3 of the PlanningBrief. Some of the key relevant policies for this siteare:� Saved Policies GE86, GE8 and GE9 of

Halton’s Unitary Development Plan� UDP Policy GE10 seeks to protect


Halton’s greenspace system, as suchdevelopment should maintain andenhance greenspaces with visual, physical,functional and structural linkages. The lossof any playing field/playing space withinareas designated as greenspace wouldonly be permitted if the criteria withinUDP Policies GE12, GE13 and GE15 weremet.

Scheme Design Site Layout The proposed layout shows one new buildingwhich will house the Secondary School andSpecial School functions. The building is to bearranged in a crescent shape, the commitmentfrom the Schools to work in unison for themutual benefit of the pupils has been expressedin the location of the central Reception area inthe middle of the new frontage. To the east ofthe new building Chesnut Lodge School will belocated. Pupils will enter the Special Schoolthrough the central reception area, making theirways to the eastern part of the new buildinghousing Special School facilities. There will be aseparate drop off area at the front of the newschool to provide secure routes from theminibuses to the main entrance. SecondarySchool pupils will enter to the west of theReception area, making their way into theSecondary accommodation leading off to thenorth west.

The Special School and the Secondary Schoolwill have new hard play areas and externalteaching areas and a new car park will beprovided to the west of the re-positionedvehicle entrance.

The vehicle entrance will be re-positionedslightly to the west of its current location toprovide safer road crossing for pupils.

30

Design ApproachAny redevelopment of the site will accord withthe Saved Policies of the UDP relating todevelopment in designated greenspace, withparticular reference to the criteria within policiesGE6 and GE8.In addition, any new development shouldrespect the setting of the site, including itsrelation to residential areas, particularly onPrescot Road, Radnor Drive, Cradley, BankfieldRoad and Liverpool Road. The location on the site and the format of theproposed new building having responded to thephilosophy of the co-located schools, theplacement of the various functions within thenew building has been carefully considered.Firstly, in relation to the retained building to theeast of the current complex, the brown brickbuilding which includes Art and some generalteaching and also, importantly, includes a good,modern Dining complex. This Dining facility willbe easily accessed via the central lobby area ofthe new building. For the public and thecommunity entering the new building complex atthe front, they will pass through the foyer areato the rear of the complex where they can gainaccess to the Dining facility. The community islikely to use the main Hall, the Drama space andthe LRC Library within the Secondary element,all of which will be easily accessed from the newfoyer area. The Special School is also likely towelcome pupils form other schools andmembers of the community, principally fortherapy and use of the hydro-therapy poollocated close to the foyer area.

For after hours use of the Sports facility, visitorswill park either in the main parking area or in asmaller parking area located close to the Sportscomplex. In its present position is well placed toserve the artificial pitch area and the grassedareas further to the west. A new service roadwill be constructed, passing around the back ofthe site along the northern boundary to serve

the existing Kitchen from the rear, rather thanthe front.

Building HeightsThe new building will be predominantly 2-storey,dropping down to single storey at the easternend of the Special School.

Materials and Boundary Treatments There is a clear aspiration to provide the bestpossible standards of contemporary design forthis new building with the use of modern hightech materials and a complementary aesthetic.

Air QualityThe Local Authority Air Quality Officer is likelyto require the impact of increased school trafficon local air quality to be assessed at this site, inaccordance with Planning Policy Statement 23:Planning and Pollution Control. This is due tothe increase in students, some of whom mayaccess the school from the eastern part of theborough, travelling along the A562 andpotentially using Deacon Road to access toschool.

Deacon Road is considered to have exceededthe objectives for NO2 as indicated by HaltonBorough Council’s diffusion tube survey. Theadditional number of vehicles associated by theproposed redevelopment is likely to worsenlocal air quality within on Deacon Road and thesignificance of this will require assessment.

NoiseIn accordance with BB93, the noise levels acrossthe site are suitable for natural ventilation instandard classrooms and practical classrooms.This is likely to be crossflow or stack ventilation.Single sided ventilation may be suitable forpractical classrooms. SEN classrooms will requireattenuated vents if a natural ventilation strategyis adopted. The noise levels are suitable for playgrounds and


31

playing fields. The recommended noise levels foroutdoor teaching areas may be possible forshielded locations.

Accommodation during Construction The intention will be to commence theconstruction of the new building from theeastern end as far as possible towards the frontelevation of the existing buildings. The BankfieldSecondary School can then move into the newbuilding areas, some of which will eventuallybecome the Chesnut Lodge School. Theexisting 1960s buildings will then be demolishedand the new building completed. The Bankfieldwill then vacate the area intended for ChesnutLodge and will occupy all of its designatedsecondary school areas. The Special Schoolsection of the plan will then be finally fitted outfor its intended use and Chesnut Lodge willmove into occupation. It is envisaged that therewill be no need for temporary accommodation.

Access and CirculationThe Transport Statement or Assessment for thesite of The Bankfield must consider:� gaps in the cycling and walking network,

including east / west links. Local walkingand cycling routes should continue to beenhanced and complemented by on siteimprovements for cyclists;

� the potential to introduce new dedicatedschool bus services and Park and Ridefacilities, particularly improvements to keybus service linkages to North and EastWidnes and additional revenuerequirements together with the need tocover for links to Riverside College’sCronton and Kingsway Campus so as tosupport the full introduction of 14-19diplomas in 2013;

� Prescot Road rail bridge, which currentlyhas limited capacity for pedestrians and

cyclists;

� interaction between access for the twoschools, pupil safety, staggered start times;

� need for enhanced parking restrictions onnearby residential roads;

� methods to reduce single occupancy carusage, which is presently high;

� Liverpool Road, which suffers from trafficcongestion due to parents drop-off andpick-up from the school and also has ahigher than average accident rate. Thecapacity at the Prescot/ Liverpool Roadjunctions may need to be examined; and

� the need for enhanced parking restrictionson Liverpool Road and affected residentialroads, as well as the need for dedicated


32

drop-off and pick-up areas within theschool grounds, the operation of which isa particularly important factor for ChesnutLodge.


Playing FieldsIn the Halton Playing Pitch Strategy, the BankfieldSchool is located in Area Forum 1, which isshown to have a shortfall of 0.1 playing pitches,including playing pitches of all types.


33


34


35

Wade Deacon High School is currently an 11-16age range comprehensive school with apopulation of approximately 1130 pupils. Theproposal under BSF is for the school to continueto cater for the 11-16 age range, but to increasein number to accommodate a population of1500 pupils. This figure incorporates pupils fromFairfield School, which have now been federatedtogether. The proposal is for all pupils to moveto the Wade Deacon campus in 2011. Inaddition, to assist in the Local Authority’s Visionaround inclusion, and to help in rationalising the

Appendix 3Wade Deacon HighSchoolIntroductionThe purpose of this Planning Guidance forDevelopment Control Purposes is to provideguidance specific to the redevelopment ofWade Deacon High School and Ashley Schoolas part of Halton’s ‘Building Schools for theFuture’ (BSF) Initiative (where it differs from thatprovided in the main body of the document).

Halton Building Schools for the FutureAppendix 3 – Wade Deacon High School

schools estate, Ashley school will co-locate ontothe site with a population of 120 pupils.

In co-locating with Ashley School; the richness oflearning, pastoral and social opportunity in eachschool will become increasingly open to studentsfrom both.

Wade Deacon has a strong culture of inclusionand a track record of responding in apersonalised way to individual learnerssometimes with troubled histories at school.The personalisation of learning will be extendedto each student with a broad and variedcurriculum and a strong relationship withcommunity learners / contributors. Criticalthinking, communication and collaboration areinherent components of the innovativepedagogical approach that the school wants tocontinue to develop.

Wade Deacon also wish to develop their sportsfacilities to provide a centre of excellence for thelocal community, to be used outside of normalschool hours.

The ProposalCurrent indicative Control Option developmentproposals for this site include the incorporation

36

of Ashley School in a new building on the siteand the demolition of an existing 1960s block.The proposals also include the construction offive new buildings, four of which will be twostorey blocks replacing the demolished 1960’sbuilding. A new building and an existing art blockwill provide space for Ashley School. The newbuildings will also involve new areas of hardstanding. A widened road for additional parkingand a new play area for the special school arealso proposed, as shown in the Possible OBCControl Option schematic, attached to the backof this Appendix.

Site Description LocationWade Deacon High School is located in Widnes,close to Widnes railway station. The site isbounded by a railway line to the north, andresidential development to the south, and has alarge area of playing fields to the west of theschool site. Wade Deacon is located adjacent toSaints Peter and Paul Catholic High School,which shares facilities with this school.

Physical DescriptionThe school site covers approximately 16hectares, and approximately 6,360 m2 of this iscovered by existing school buildings, theremaining site area being playing fields.Existing buildings are arranged as two distinctcomplexes, along the front of the site. The mainentrance is directly opposite the centre of theprincipal 1930s building which is designed in aclassical style and presents a high quality frontelevation to the road. At the front of thebuilding are grassed areas with attractive treesand metal fencing, all providing a high qualityenvironment. At the northern extremity of thesite there is a complex of principally 1960sbuildings which are less architecturally attractive.The separation of the buildings is detrimental toany feeling of cohesion which should be

achieved across the School Campus. The site is generally level, although the northernside of this site lies at a level of approximately30 – 31m AOD and the southern part of thesite lies at approximately 29.5m AOD. The1930s building is situated on a wholly levelportion of the site and, moving north, there is apronounced dip towards the 1960s complexrising slightly towards the second road entranceadjacent to the nearby station junction. The large expanse of green playing fields behindthe school buildings is a valuable asset and willbe retained as far as possible.

Recent Relevant Planning History A search of the planning history for this siteshows a series of planning applications made byand on behalf of Wade Deacon School for theincremental extension and remodelling of theschool site. These include:� 07/00902/HBCEDU: Proposed siting of 2

No. storage containers adjacent toexisting pavilion

� 06/00388/FUL: Proposed extension toexisting car park on to previously grassedarea to front of lower wing building toprovide up to 50 No. spaces.

� 05/00210/HBCFUL: Proposed formationof curtain walled infill under existingcanopy to provide new office andcirculation space.

From this planning history it is possible toconclude Wade Deacon has undergoneexpansion from its original 1930s building,including substantial extensions to facilities in theearly 1960s. Various alterations and expansionshave been made to the school facilities on sitesince this date.

Development Objectives Key Planning ObjectivesAny development at Wade Deacon High School


37

should give consideration to the following keyplanning objectives:� improvements to public transport links

from northern and eastern Widnes. Thereis potential to introduce a new dedicatedschool bus service network and/or Parkand Ride facilities. A new public transporthub or interchange shared betweenWade Deacon and Saints Peter and PaulCatholic College should also beinvestigated;

� gaps in the cycling and pedestrian networkwill need to be addressed, particularlyregarding east/west links;

� measures to ease traffic congestion andhigh traffic flows on Birchfield Road andon street parking capacity constraints.There is potential to introduce adedicated drop-off and pick-up facilitywithin the school grounds;


� development should respect the setting ofthe site including its relationship withsurrounding residential areas and theamenity and function of nearbygreenspace.

Key Planning IssuesAny development will be assessed against thepolicies outlined within section 3 of the PlanningBrief. Some of the key policies for this site are:� Saved Policies GE6, GE8 and GE9 of

Halton’s Unitary Development Plan.� UDP Policy GE10 states development

should consider the sites location within agreenspace system and provide networks


of interconnecting greenspaces with visual,physical, functional and structural linkages.The loss of any playing field/playing spacewithin areas designated as greenspacewould only be permitted if the criteriawithin UPD Policies GE12, GE13 andGE15 were met.

Scheme Design Site LayoutThe 1960s buildings which currently form a largepart of the School’s accommodation will bedemolished due to problems of condition andsuitability to cater for the additional arearequired for the expanded Wade DeaconSchool three new teaching blocks will be built atthe rear of the current 1930s building which willenclose the central quadrangle and will allow amuch improved cohesion of the Wade Deaconfunctions. Wade Deacon pupils will enter to thenorthern end of the current 1930s building intoa large foyer area and then move into thecentral quadrangle before entering theirrespective teaching areas.

The new foyer at this position will also form alinkage with the re-built Ashley School which willbe located to the northern end of the WadeDeacon buildings.

A new pedestrian entrance will be formeddirectly opposite the foyer entrance runningeastwards to the pavement alongside the mainroad. This will move the central focus of theSchool building complex towards the end of the1930s buildings rather than in the centre as it iscurrently. The existing vehicle entrance will bemaintained, aligning with the centre of the 1930sbuilding serving the Secondary School functions.For Ashley School, the existing entrance at thenorthern end of the site will be maintained butwill be used solely for minibuses at each end ofthe school day, serving only the Special Schoolfacility.

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External teaching areas will be provided to thewest elevations of the new teaching blocks toWade Deacon School and outside Diningterraces and teaching areas will be provided forWade Deacon and Ashley Schools. There willbe some reconfiguration of hard play areas andpitches to allow practical coordination with thefootprint of the new buildings.

Design ApproachAny redevelopment of the site will accord withthe Saved Policies of the UDP relating todevelopment in designated greenspace, withparticular reference to the criteria within policiesGE6 and GE8. In addition, any new development shouldrespect the setting of the site, including itsrelation to residential areas, particularly onBirchfield Road, Highfield Road and HighfieldCrescent.

Building Heights and MassingIt s proposed that all of the new buildings for theWade Deacon School will be 2-storey heightwhich will conform to the height of the present1930s building and, therefore, will not impingeon the immediate environment. Ashley Schoolwill be mostly single storey with some doubleheight spaces to accommodate Hall, Dining andDrama. Air QualityThe Local Authority Air Quality Officer mayrequire the impact of increased school traffic onlocal air quality to be assessed at this site, inaccordance with Planning Policy Statement 23:Planning and Pollution Control (PPS 23). This isdue to the increase in students, some of whommay access the school from the eastern parts ofthe borough, travelling along the A562 andpotentially using Deacon Road to access toschool. Deacon Road is considered to have exceededthe objectives for NO2 as indicated by HaltonBorough Council’s diffusion tube survey. The

additional number of vehicles associated by theproposed redevelopment is likely to worsenlocal air quality on Deacon Road and thesignificance of this might require assessment.Also, the additional number of studentsproposed at this school has the potential toincrease the number of vehicles on BirchfieldRoad (B5419) if travelling from the north andKingsway (B5419) if travelling from the south.

NoiseIn accordance with BB93, the noise levels acrossthe site are suitable for natural ventilation. Singlesided, twin opening ventilation will providesuitable attenuation for the standard classroomson facades shielded from nearby traffic. For SENclassrooms attenuated vents will be required tomaintain a natural ventilation strategy. The noise levels are suitable for playgrounds andplaying fields. The recommended noise levels foroutdoor teaching areas may be possible forshielded locations.

Materials and Boundary Treatments There is an aspiration that high qualityarchitecture will be required throughout this siteto respect the high quality of the 1930s buildingsand to provide an exceptional learningenvironment.

Built HeritageThe lower wing of Wade Deacon School wasconstructed in 1931 in a neoclassical style, andretains a high level of internal and externalintegrity. It is deemed by Halton BoroughCouncil and Cheshire County Council torepresent a historically and architecturallyinteresting building and should be retained in anyproposals, in accordance with Planning PolicyGuidance Note 15: Planning and the HistoricEnvironment (PPG 15).

Accommodation during Construction The proposal is to construct the new Wade


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Deacon buildings as the first phase of thebuilding operation. This will enable the existing1960s buildings to be vacated and WadeDeacon School will be self sufficient in its newenlarged complex. The 1960s building can thenbe demolished and the construction of theAshley School undertaken. No temporaryaccommodation will be required.Access and CirculationThe Transport Statement or Assessment for thesite of Wade Deacon High School mustconsider:

� gaps in the cycling and walking network,to accommodate higher demand for east /west trips (including Lockett Road). Theseroutes should be enhanced to a highstandard and improvements made tocycle storage provision, as well asprovision of facilities and incentives forcyclists such as showers;

� public transport links, due to increaseddemand when school numbers grow,especially from northern and easternWidnes and increased revenue supportrequirements. The school site is close toWidnes Station but local bus servicesmostly focus on Derby Road and PeelHouse Lane rather than Kingsway/Birchfield Road;

� traffic congestion and high traffic flows onBirchfield Road and nearby junctionsduring peak times - measures need to bedeveloped to ease these issues;

� on street parking capacity constraints inthe vicinity of the school and appropriatelocations for new accesses;

� the potential to introduce a dedicateddrop-off and pick-up facility within theschool grounds, the operation of this is

particularly important for the AshleySchool element;

� interaction between access for the twoschools, pupil safety, staggered start times;

� methods to reduce high car usage; and

� the potential to introduce a newdedicated school bus service networkand/or Park and Ride facilities, and anassessment of the revenue implications.There is also potential to investigate theprovision of a new public transport hub orinterchange shared between WadeDeacon and Saints Peter and PaulCatholic College (with good qualitypedestrian links to both sites).


Playing FieldsIn the Halton Playing Pitch Strategy, WadeDeacon is located in Area Forum 2, which isshown to have a total excess of 8.3 playingpitches, including playing pitches of all types.

TreesA Tree Survey (Scott Wilson, 2008f) has beencarried out in accordance with Halton UDPSaved Policy GE 27 and identified that the sitecontained both category A and B trees, whichshould be retained as part of the development.

EcologyBatsFurther information is required regardingpotential access between the original WadeDeacon High School building bell tower andinternal roof voids, with regards to bats. Theschool is considered to have Low/ Medium BatRoost Potential.


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An internal survey of the extension roof ofWade Deacon High School is recommended toassess any passages from external roof damageto the internal voids. A watching brief may berecommended for works associated with theroof depending on these findings.Sufficient information will be provided to thecontractors regarding the handling of potentialbat roosts under the Conservation (NaturalHabitats Etc) Regulations 1994.Great Crested NewtsThe pond present within the grounds of WadeDeacon High School, despite being consideredsub-optimal for great crested newts, should beretained and enhanced if possible to comply withHalton Borough Council’s UDP, policy GE 25.Furthermore, detailed design of the new sitesshould retain these ponds to avoid risk ofrequiring further surveys. The enhancement ofthe existing ponds should look to increase thepond’s biodiversity and nature conservationvalue by, for example, planting with nativemarginal floral species.

If retention of the pond is not possible, then thepond should be drained under supervision froma suitably qualified ecologist. If great crestednewts were to be found in the pond during thedraining, then the works would be terminatedand relevant EPS development licenceprocedures followed. A replacement pondshould be created to compensate for the loss ofthe water body.


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Halton High School is currently an 11-16 agerange comprehensive school with a populationof approximately 530 pupils. The proposal underBSF is for the school to become an Academyand to cater for the 11-18 age range, increasingin number to accommodate a population of1250 pupils.

The vision for Halton High is that throughbecoming an Academy, it takes the opportunityto entirely transform it’s curriculum andpedagogical approach to the delivery of learningfor the local community, overcoming perceptualbarriers of ‘failure’ and providing a safe secureand inspirational learning environment. The

Appendix 4Halton High SchoolIntroductionThe purpose of this Planning Guidance forDevelopment Control Purposes is to provideguidance specific to the redevelopment ofHalton High School as part of Halton’s ‘BuildingSchools for the Future’ (BSF) Initiative (where itdiffers to that presented in the main body of thedocument).

Halton Building Schools for the FutureAppendix 4 – Halton High School

influence of the sponsor on the school willsupport this. The current proposal is that thenew Academy either develops a new andinspirational approach to a Business andEnterprise specialism through small business unitsand a light manufacturing environment ordevelops a more academic approach through anacademic sponsor.

The school is keen to exemplify the Academyremit to deliver services to local people and tobring communities together with positiveengagement through a wide range of extendedschool activities and services including theintroduction of polyclinics on site.

Personalisation of learning and flexibility ofdelivery will be key to the Academy’s futuredirection and in particular through ICT.

The ProposalAt this site, the indicative Control Optionproposal is to redevelop and refurbish thecurrent school site. This would involve theconstruction of a new building and increasedareas of hardstanding in the form of roads, carparking and paving, as shown in the PossibleOBC Control Option schematic, attached to theback of this Appendix.

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Site Description LocationHalton High School is located in the NortonSouth Ward of Runcorn within the New Townarea. Barnfield Avenue provides the mainvehicular access to the site and the school is alsolocated adjacent to a branch of the RuncornBusway. Stockham Lane and a housing estatebound the site to the west. To the north liespart of the Town Park public open space. Onthe eastern extent are other housing areassituated off Cleethorpes Road and BarnfieldAvenue. Brookvale Community Centre is to thenorth of the school grounds.Physical Description

Halton High School covers approximately 14hectares, of which approximately 6,840 m2 iscovered by existing school buildings, and a largeproportion is playing fields. This site is relatively level ranging between 68.7mAOD and 69.5 mAOD.

The existing buildings are arranged in two largeand separate elements on the site, approachedvia an access road halfway along the easternboundary. There is a very pleasant arrangementof landscaped car parking spaces to either site ofthis access road. To the north there is a largeleisure centre with its own car parking at thefront and to the south the main reception toremainder of the School complex. The frontarea of the site is well landscaped with maturetrees and provides a pleasant approach toReception for the School which is on the eastelevation of the southernmost complex ofbuildings.

To the north of the Leisure Centre there is anexisting multi-use games area and at the otherside of a footpath following the north westernboundary of the play area there is a largeexpanse of green playing fields, approximately

bisected by a railway tunnel running beneathwith a ventilation shaft at ground level. To the rear of the southern building there areformal play areas.

Recent Relevant Planning HistoryA search on the planning history for this site hasbeen undertaken. There are various applicationsmade by and on behalf of Halton High Schoolfor the extension and re-modelling of the schoolsite. The most recent of which include:� 04/00883/HBCEDU: Proposed single

storey design technology extension� 02/00231/HBC: Proposed Provision of 3

no. temporary mobile classrooms� 02/00091/HBCEDU: Proposed two storey

extension forming replacement kitchenand dining room and 6 No. newclassrooms.

The planning history shows the site has beenused as a school since its construction in the late1970’s. Fire damage in 1996 means parts of theschool is of different ages. Brookvale CommunityCentre has now been incorporated into theschool grounds.

Site Specific DevelopmentObjectives Key Planning ObjectivesAny development should consider the followingplanning objectives at the Halton High SchoolSite:� the provision of playing pitches should be

considered in accordance with The HaltonPlaying Pitch Strategy which envisages theArea Forum 4 (of which Halton HighSchool is located in) having an overallshortfall of 1.1 playing pitches includingplaying pitches of all types by 2012;

� any redevelopment should respect thevalue of the landscape and naturalenvironment of the site. This includes


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consideration of the provision and natureof the open space within this site.Landscaping measures incorporating treesand areas of planting should also beconsidered;

� development should respect the setting ofthe site including its relationship withsurrounding residential areas; and

� the design of any development shouldalso respect the area of designatedAncient Woodland at Murdishaw Woodand the function and amenity of TownPark in its roles as an Area of SpecialLandscape Value.

Key Planning IssuesAny development will be assessed against thepolicies outlined within section 3 of the PlanningBrief. Some of the key planning policies for this siteare:� Saved Policies GE6, GE8 and GE9 of

Halton’s Unitary Development Plan;� UDP Policy GE12� UDP Policy GE23 (consideration of the

sites allocation as an Area of SpecialLandscape Value, therefore developmentmust be in character with the area,constructed of appropriate materials andlandscaped to a high standard).

� UDP Policy TP9 (development should notprejudice access onto the greenwaynetwork)

� UDP Policy GE10 seeks to protectHalton’s greenspace system, as suchdevelopment should maintain andenhance greenspaces with visual, physical,functional and structural linkages.

� UDP Policy PR16 Development and Risk

Scheme Design Site Layout A principal problem with the current


arrangement of buildings is that the separation ofthe main educational functions from the Sportsand Leisure functions inhibits the effectivemanagement of a cohesive complex.Furthermore, the main School Reception is inone of the distinct halves of the complex.Effective inter-action between the two majorbuildings is seriously inhibited by the location ofthe principal service areas in the space betweenthe buildings. The intention of the new layoutwill be to construct a new building on thesouthern end of the multi use Games area andto link this to both of the existing buildings via anew entrance foyer positioned at the end of theexisting service route. This new foyer will be atthe physical centre of the complex and willdirectly adjoin the existing dining area which willalso unify the complex. The need for servicevehicles to enter this central space will beavoided by moving the mini-bus garage and theoil delivery point to the back of the Leisurecomplex. Constraints to site layout include:� an Ethylene pipeline operated by Sabic,

running between Runcorn and Wilton,crosses to the north of the site. Adviceon the likely response from the Healthand Safety Executive to a proposedscheme can be obtained from the HSE’sPADHI system (Planning Advice forDevelopments near HazardousInstallations); and

� the Vyrnwy aqueduct carries the waterfrom Lake Vyrnwy along a 70 mile routeto Liverpool. The aqueduct passesbeneath the public open space beyondthe sites northwestern boundary. Thisfeature cannot be built over with buildings(though roads can cross it).

Design ApproachAny redevelopment of the site will accord withthe Saved Policies of the UDP relating todevelopment in designated greenspace, with

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particular reference to the criteria within policiesGE6 and GE8.

Any new development should respect thesetting of the site, including its relation toresidential areas, particularly on BrookvaleAvenue, Cleethorpes Road, Tynemouth Road,Waterford Way and Stockham Road. The design of any redevelopment should alsorespect the area of designated AncientWoodland at Murdishaw Wood, adjacent to theHalton High site. Also, it would be beneficial forany redevelopment of the site to respect thefunction and amenity of Town Park, and inparticular its role as an area of Special LandscapeValue.

The position of the new teaching block, asdescribed above and set out in the indicativeControl Option proposals, is linked via the newfoyer to the existing two buildings, this measurewill unify the whole School in placing the foyerand dining functions at its heart. These willhave easy access to the existing Leisure Centreand to the existing main School Hall and Dramaspaces remaining at the centre of thesouthernmost block.

The current buildings suffer from someinappropriate teaching spaces and a lack oflogical suiting of the various faculties. This willbe solved by retaining some of the best generalteaching classrooms which have only beenconstructed in recent years, along with the goodquality Hall and Drama spaces mentioned above.

The new block will provide an entirely newTechnology faculty on the ground floor and anew Science faculty on the first floor. Thesetwo faculties will benefit mostly from a newbuilding which can provide for new and flexibleways of teaching these two specialist subjects.Technology and Science areas which will bevacated in the existing buildings will be

converted to improved and enlarged generalteaching areas, enabling the remainingdepartments to be efficiently suited together andinadequacies in accommodation to be corrected.Building HeightsThe new building will be at 2-storey height,matching the remainder of the building stock.

Air QualityThe Local Authority Air Quality officer is likelyrequire the impact of increased school traffic onlocal air quality to be assessed at this site, inaccordance with Planning Policy Statement 23:Planning and Pollution Control (PPS 23). This isbecause the additional number of studentsproposed at this school has the potential toincrease the number of vehicles on theroundabout of Southern (A533) and ChesterRoad (A56). The additional number of vehicles associated bythe proposed redevelopment would increase thepollutant concentrations above baseline level andtherefore the significance of this may requireassessment.

NoiseIn accordance with BB 93, the noise levels acrossthe site were influenced by the M56 and localroads to the south and east of the site. At themeasurement location closed to the south eastof the site boundary the noise levels are slightlyabove those considered suitable for naturalventilation. The noise levels on the shieldedfaçade of a new building would be suitable fornatural ventilation.

The noise levels are above those consideredsuitable for playgrounds and playing fields in theexposed areas. The recommended noise levelsfor playground and playing fields may be possiblefor the shielded locations.As the change in student numbers is consideredsignificant for this site, further noise assessment isrequired regarding the affect of the noise from


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school playing fields on neighbouring properties.Materials and Boundary TreatmentsThe materials of the new building are likely to bered brick to match the existing southernstructure. The new foyer area will beconstructed in a high tech style, using a Planarglazing system. It is intended that a newboundary fence will be erected along the line ofthe existing railway tunnel and then down thenorth east and south west boundaries of thelower grass area of the site.

Built Heritage Mouse Trap Hall is located close to Halton HighSchool. Although not listed, the building is oflocal historic and/or architectural interest. Accommodation during Construction The new block can be constructed withoutimpinging on the occupation of the existingbuildings – no temporary accommodationrequired.

Access and CirculationThe transport assessment should consider thefollowing:� travel plan measures/outcomes to ensure

that the present low level of singleoccupancy car use continues (and isimproved);

� impact of additional trip generation onnearby constrained junctions such asNorthwich Road/Murdishaw Avenue, andMurdishaw Roundabout;

� potential for dedicated school bus servicesand Park and Ride, and the revenuesupport implications; and

� the impact of school expansion uponparking supply and demand


Playing FieldsIn the Halton Playing Pitch Strategy, Halton High

School is located in Area Forum 4, which isshown to have a total excess of 3 playingpitches, including playing pitches of all types.

TreesA Tree Survey (Scott Wilson, 2008f) has beencarried out, in accordance with Halton UDPSaved Policy GE27, and has highlighted thatthrough the design of the new building it isdesirable to retain category B trees. Where thisis inappropriate then the loss of these trees willbe mitigated in a well designed landscapescheme. The development will be located so that it doesnot breach the tree protection zones noted inthe Tree Survey. Consultation with the HaltonArboricultural Officer is also recommended.

EcologyAn Ecological Walkover and External Bat RoostPotential Survey (Scott Wilson, 2008b) havebeen carried out and the following protectedspecies were identified as having the potential tobe present.

BatsThe air shaft on the Halton High School site inRuncorn and associated railway tunnel should besubject to further bat surveys and closerinspection, if the air shaft is to be demolished orobstructed by development works. The air shaftand connected underground railway tunnel areconsidered to have Moderate potential to beused by bats for roosting.

It is recommended that if the air-shaft’s integrityis compromised or access to/ from the entranceis significantly altered such that bats eithercannot, or will find it difficult to relocate then batemergence and swarming surveys arerecommended. These surveys are normallyundertaken between mid-May and earlySeptember, although it can be extended in toOctober if weather conditions permit. Further


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information regarding usage of the air shaft andrailway tunnel has been requested. The need forany further surveys should be established basedon this information. Sufficient information will be provided to thecontractors regarding the handling of potentialbat roosts under the Conservation (NaturalHabitats Etc) Regulations 1994.

Water VoleWithin Halton High School, if the watercourse isto be impacted by the works, then a water volesurvey is recommended. Great Crested Newts

The pond present within the grounds of HaltonHigh School, despite being considered sub-optimal for great crested newts, should beretained and enhanced if possible to comply withHalton Borough Council’s UDP, policy GE 25.Furthermore, detailed design of the new sitesshould retain these ponds to avoid risk ofrequiring further surveys. The enhancement ofthe existing ponds should look to increase thepond’s biodiversity and nature conservationvalue by, for example, planting with nativemarginal floral species.

If retention of the pond is not possible, then thepond should be drained under supervision froma suitably qualified ecologist. If great crestednewts were to be found in the pond during thedraining, then the works would be terminatedand relevant European Protected Species (EPS)development licence procedures followed. Areplacement pond should be created tocompensate for the loss of the water body.


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St. Chad’s Catholic High School is currently an11-18 age range comprehensive school with apopulation of approximately 930 pupils. Theproposal under BSF is for the school to continueto cater for the 11-18 age range, increasing innumber to accommodate a population of 1300pupils. The proposal is also to change thegovernance of the school and for it to become amulti-faith school.

The school is currently a Language College thatwishes to develop Performing Arts within thecurriculum. It has a strong and clear vision thatthe delivery of its Language specialism will be

Appendix 5St Chad’s Catholic HighSchoolIntroduction The purpose of this Planning Guidance forDevelopment Control Purposes is to provideguidance specific to the redevelopment of St.Chad’s Catholic High School as part of Halton’s‘Building Schools for the Future’ (BSF) Initiative(where it differs from that provided in the mainbody of the document).

Halton Building Schools for the FutureAppendix 5 – St Chad’s Catholic High School

dramatically enhanced through BSF by thecreation of a Language Centre which will buildsocial capital, develop learning opportunities andharness resources for the entire localcommunity. The Language Centre will focus onglobal languages and in particular those spokenby the diverse population of local families. Amedia-rich ICT provision will enable the sense ofcommunity to be widened by openingcommunication links with communities overseas.The school wish to instil a culture ofperformance and it is their vision that PerformingArts will be promoted through a wide range ofperformance spaces, including an externalamphitheatre in ‘the Green’.

The vision for school organisation includes at itsheart a need to develop both a sense ofbelonging and solid core skills with a separatezone for year 7 in which pastoral and learningsupport can be delivered. As young peopleprogress throughout their school career, theschool wants them to develop self managementskills.

The school aspires for parents and localcommunity members to become an active partof school life by contributing to the facilitation oflearning and benefiting from the wide range ofextended school provision which includesoutreach services.

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The ProposalThe indicative Control Option proposals at thissite consist of the demolition of four existingbuildings which will be replaced by two newbuildings, in addition to the three buildingsalready proposed under the TACP programme.A new atrium and areas of hard standing arealso proposed, as shown in the Possible OBCControl Option schematic, attached to the backof this Appendix.

Site DescriptionLocationSt Chad’s Catholic High School is located onGrangeway, in the New Town area of Runcorn,close to the town centre of Halton Lea and theCentral Expressway. The school is surroundedon all sides by residential development and hasplaying fields located on its south and westernedges. The school’s playing fields are boundedon the eastern edge by the Runcorn busway.

Physical DescriptionSt Chad’s Catholic High School covers an area ofapproximately 10.7 hectares, of whichapproximately 6,710 m2 is covered by existingschool buildings, and the remainder being playingfields and car parking. .The largest slope at this site is sloping upwardsfrom west to east, with the eastern side of thesite at approximately 71.8 mAOD and thewestern side at approximately 58 mAOD.

The existing site has a pronounced slope fromwest to east and there are four major levelchanges across the current building complex.There has been a considerable amount ofbuilding activity in the last few years duringwhich time new teaching accommodation hasbeen constructed and, more recently, a newScience block and a new Sports Hall are underconstruction.

The current building complex is approachedfrom the main road via a large car parking areawhich forms the frontage to the School buildings.The current building arrangement providessomething of a mixture of styles and materialsbut the quality of the teaching environment isquite good, although the building complexsuffers from a lack of cohesion – probably dueto its spasmodic development. Consequently,the School suffers from a lack of legibility as tohow the different faculties and elements aredisposed. The intention of the BSF project willbe to improve the feeling of cohesion andlegibility so far as possible.

Current informal social areas for pupils tend tobe areas which are left over between buildingsand, therefore, are unattractive in shape andmaterial. There is a need to improve the socialenvironment for pupils.

Recent Relevant Planning History A search of the planning history for this siteshows a series of planning applications made byand on behalf of St. Chad’s Catholic High Schoolfor the extension and remodelling of the school.The most recent of which include:� 08/00039/FUL: Proposed erection of two

storey sports hall, new science block andpartial refurbishment of existing buildings(including minor demolition) and provisionof a substation.

� 07/00413/ADV: Proposed display ofexternally illuminated school signage andlogo including indication signs for buildingentrances.

� 06/00548/FUL: Proposed temporary carpark to the rear.

From the planning history available, it is evidentthat St Chad’s Catholic High School has recentlyundergone extensive refurbishment to improvefacilities. The site has been used as a schoolsince its construction in the 1970s.


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Site Specific DevelopmentObjectivesKey Planning ObjectivesAny development at St Chad’s Catholic HighSchool should consider the following planningobjectives:� further enhancements to local pedestrian

and cycling links to a high standard arerequired to accommodate increased localdemand;

� improvements to current drop-off andpick up points to alleviate trafficcongestion on Grangeway. There ispotential to investigate new off road drop-off and pick-up facilities and/or Park andRide facilities;


� development should respect the setting ofthe site including its relationship withsurrounding residential areas.

Key Planning IssuesAny development will be assessed against thepolicies outlined within section 3 of the PlanningBrief. Some of the key policies for this site are:� Saved UDP Policies GE6, GE8 and GE9� UDP Policy GE10 provides a list of

circumstances in which developmentaffecting the greenspace system would notbe permitted.

� UDP Policies GE12, GE13 and GE15.St. Chad’s Catholic High School site is in the“outer” consultation zone from PADHI (PlanningAdvice for Developments near HazardousInstallations), as a result of operations at the


Ineos Chlor and Ineos Fluor sites. Because ofthis, any proposed development for the sitewould have to undergo consultation with theHealth and Safety Executive (HSE). St. Chad’sCatholic High School is also in the consultationzone for the Transco gas pipe at Weston Point.

Scheme Design Site Layout Arising from the need for improved cohesion onthe site and the requirement for better socialareas, the existing/unattractive Technology blockwill be removed, a “village green” will be createdon its footprint and additional new buildingsproposed to form an encirclement to this greenarea.

Design ApproachAny redevelopment of the site will accord withthe Saved Policies of the UDP policies relating todevelopment in designated greenspace, withparticular reference to the criteria within policiesGE6 and GE8.Any new development should respect thesetting of the site, including its relation toresidential areas, particularly on Grangeway,Camrose Close, Bamford Close, Poplar Close,Larch Close and Thorn Road.

Building HeightsInitially, the current Science block underconstruction will be completed to 2-storeyheights. However, under the BSF programmethe intention will be to build an extra storeyonto this block – i.e. a 3-storey building. Theremaining buildings surrounding the new greenarea will be a mixture of 2-storey and 3-storeyheights.

Air QualityThe Local Authority Air Quality Officer mayrequire the impact of increased school traffic onlocal air quality to be assessed at this site, in

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accordance with Planning Policy Statement 23:Planning and Pollution Control (PPS 23). This isbecause the additional number of studentsproposed at this school has the potential toincrease the number of vehicles on CentralExpressway (A533), Runcorn Spur Road (B5155)and Weston Point Expressway (A557), andsubsequently lead to an increase in pollutantconcentrations of the existing local air quality.

NoiseIn accordance with BB93, the noise levels areslightly above the levels considered suitable fornatural ventilation. On the facades of buildingexposed to the nearby roads attenuated ventsare likely for standard and practical classrooms.Shielded facades, facing to the north-west mayhave noise levels may be suitable for cross flowventilation to practical classrooms. The noiselevels are above those considered suitable forplaygrounds and playing fields. Therecommended noise levels for outdoorplayground, playing fields and teaching areas maybe possible for shielded locations.

Materials and Boundary TreatmentsCurrent materials used in the School complexare disparate. For the new BSF buildings theintention will be to pick a range of materialsfrom the more attractive range which havealready been used in recent buildings.

Accommodation during Construction Any new buildings constructed under BSF can bebuilt on vacant land. On completion redundantbuildings, such as Technology block, can beremoved when the new buildings are occupied.No temporary accommodation will be required.

Access and CirculationThe Transport Statement or Assessment for thesite of St Chad’s Catholic High School mustconsider:� the potential to introduce and develop

existing dedicated school bus servicenetwork to the site, investigation of parkand ride facilities, and the revenue supportimplications of both of these;

� examine potential to relocate all buspickup provision to rear of school;

� enhancements to local walking and cyclinglinks, to a high standard, to accommodateincreased local demand, e.g. links along theBusway to Clifton Road, and onsiteimprovements/incentives for cyclists;

� the traffic congestion on Grangeway dueto inadequate existing facilities for parentdrop off and pick up;

� the need for new/improved off roaddrop-off and pick-up facilities, andadditional on site parking; and

� travel planning to address present high carusage by both staff and pupil drop off.


Playing FieldsIn the Halton Playing Pitch Strategy, St. Chad’sCatholic High School is located in Area Forum 5,which is shown to have a total excess of 6.2playing pitches, including playing pitches of alltypes.Flood RiskGround levels indicate excess surface waterwould most likely flow toward the schoolbuildings from the east. Finished floor levelsshould therefore allow for the potential pondingof water during extreme storm events, to avoidflooding of buildings, in accordance with inaccordance with Planning Policy Statement 25:Development and Flood Risk (PPS 25).


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The Bridge / KS4 Gateway is an 11-16 age rangepupils referral unit. The proposal under BSF is tomaintain the current age range and population ofapproximately 42 pupils.

Depending on the scale of the refurbishment atthis site, in particular the degree to which theexternal appearance and layout of thebuilding/site is to be amended, this site may notrequire planning permission (due to the limited

Appendix 6The Bridge/KS4GatewayIntroductionThe purpose of this Planning Guidance forDevelopment Control Purposes is to provideguidance specific to the redevelopment of TheBridge / KS4 Gateway as part of Halton’s‘Building Schools for the Future’ (BSF) Initiative(where it differs from that provided in the mainbody of the document).

Building Schools for the FutureAppendix 6 – The Bridge/KS4 Gateway

scope of external works). This Appendix setsout the aspects that should be considered in theevent of a planning application being required,but it is recommended that the scope of worksis discussed with the Local Planning Authority todetermine the need for an application.

The ProposalThe indicative Control Option proposal at thissite include a new secure play and social areaalong with limited internal refurbishment, asshown in the Possible OBC Control Optionschematic. No new buildings are proposed atthis site, attached to the back of this Appendix.

Site DescriptionLocationThe Bridge School is located on Chadwick Roadin the Astmoor Industrial Estate, in northRuncorn. The school is located in anemployment area, is surrounded by industrialunits and is adjacent to a branch of the RuncornBusway. The school is also close to Runcorn’swaterfront, including the Manchester Ship Canal.

Physical DescriptionThe Bridge covers an area of approximately 0.3

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hectares, of which approximately 1,360 m2 iscovered by existing school buildings. The buildingis relatively small in comparison to Halton’s otherschools, and only has minimal open spaceconsisting of long narrow grassed areas on thenorth and south boundaries. The location of The Bridge School is within anarea of business parks. The northern elevationadjoins a dual carriageway, the main distributorfor the light industrial buildings which comprisethe local environment. The principal objectivefor the School to improve its function on thesite will be to form an enclosed and fencedexternal play area directly adjoining the dualcarriageway on its northern elevation.

The site is generally level; the northern side ofthe site ranges in level around 12.5 m AOD, thesouthern end of the site is approximately 13 mAOD and the centre of the site around 14 mAOD. The average topography of the site is at ahigher level than the surrounding areas.The car park which forms the frontage to theSchool buildings has been levelled to form aplateau and there is a bank which falls downtowards the dual carriageway at the northernedge of the car park.

Recent Relevant Planning HistoryThe Bridge School has only recently moved toits current site which was formally an Adult DayCentre. Therefore, there is not an extensiveplanning history available for The Bridge School.

Site Specific DevelopmentObjectives Key Planning ObjectivesAny development should consider the followingplanning objectives on The Bridge School site:� improvements to pedestrian and cycle

access to the site; and� any development should have regards to

the sites immediate environment, including

nearby industrial units at Astmoorindustrial estate.

Key Planning IssuesAny development will be assessed against thepolicies outlined within section 3 of the PlanningBrief. Some of the key policies for this site are:� Saved Policy E3 of Halton’s Unitary

Development Plan (only developmentfalling within use classes B1 (Business), B2(General Industry), B8 (Storage andDistribution) and Sui Generis industrialuses will be permitted in PrimaryEmployment Areas. Any redevelopmentof The Bridge site would need to takeaccount of the limitations imposed byUDP Policy E3).

� UDP Policy E4, which refers toComplementary Services and Facilitieswithin Primary Employment Areas, wouldalso be a relevant consideration in anyproposed redevelopment of The Bridgesite.

Scheme Design Design ApproachAs well as the formation of the new secure playarea referred to above, internal alterations willconsist of the formation of a new specialistScience area and to sub-divide the over-generous Dining room to provide a new Dancespace as well as retaining part for Dining.

NoiseThe noise levels across the site are dominatedby traffic noise and therefore, natural ventilationcould only be adopted with an attenuated ventsystem, in accordance with BB93.The Bridge has the potential to be affected byincreases in aircraft noise as a result of growth inair traffic at the Liverpool John Lennon Airport inSpeke. Therefore, aircraft noise should be

Halton Building Schools for the FutureAppendix 6 – The Bridge/ KS4 Gateway

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considered in the planning the design of theschool and in the planning application, should itbe required. Recommended mitigation is thatopening windows should be top hung andoutward opening to prevent noise from beingdirected into teaching spaces.Accommodation during Construction There will only be a minimal amount of internalalterations so no requirement for temporaryaccommodation.

TransportA Traffic and Transport Baseline Report (ScottWilson, 2008d) has been carried out. TheTransport Statement/Assessment for the siteshould consider pedestrian and cycle access tothe site and facilities within the site to encourageuse of these modes of travel. Any site-specific transport issues identified duringthe Transport Assessment or Statement must beaddressed within the planning application.

TreesA Tree Survey (Scott Wilson, 2008f) has beencarried out in accordance with Halton UDPSaved Policy GE27 and has shown that categoryB trees may be directly or indirectly affected by


the design indicated on the Control Option. It isrecommended that the impact to these treesmay be minimised or eliminated through thedesign of no-dig construction methods and goodpractice as per the guidance contained withinBS5837:2005.

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The Granges is located in the New Town areaof Runcorn, north-west of the town centre atHalton Lea, and currently caters for 1003 pupils,aged 11 – 16. As part of the BSF initiative TheGrange Comprehensive School will decrease thenumber of pupils on roll to 750 and become anall through Trust school to also include thecurrent Grange Nursery, Infant and Junior whichare currently located in sites adjacent to thesecondary school. The site is currently under theownership of Halton Borough Council.

Appendix 7The GrangeComprehensiveIntroductionThe purpose of this Planning Guidance forDevelopment Control Purposes is to provideguidance specific to the redevelopment of TheGrange Comprehensive, Nursery, Infant andJunior School sites (herein referred to as “TheGranges”) as part of Halton’s ‘Building Schoolsfor the Future’ (BSF) Initiative (where it differsfrom that provided in the main body of thedocument).

Halton Building Schools for the FutureAppendix 7 – The Grange Comprehensive

The aspiration of The Granges is to create a“hub and spoke” school with a central core anddiscrete secondary and primary elements in thespokes. Inherent in the vision is the ability toimplement a truly personalised learningenvironment in which easy ‘stage-not-age’transition between stages is facilitated for everystudent as they are ready. The school alsoenvision an holistic environment that is wellsupported by a wide range of multi disciplinaryprofessionals including GP, BehaviourImprovement Programme (BIP), Connexions,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services(CAMHS) and Family Support Services. Theschool wants to continue to provide supportand challenge opportunities for its cohorts ofAutistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Speechand Language provision students with the rightblend of stretch and nurture.The school want to build social capital and openlearning opportunities for the whole localcommunity, by actively engaging with families andcommunity members and extending services andopportunities for all ages. These include sportsand cultural opportunities, adult learning,outreach and the LRC.

The ProposalThe indicative Control Option proposal for the

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site is the possible demolition of The Grangesand its replacement on the existing school fields.It is proposed that a new building amalgamatesexisting nursery, infants, junior andcomprehensive schools in a single buildingsolution to encourage integration of the schools,as shown on the Possible OBC Control Optionschematic, attached to the back of thisAppendix.

Any redevelopment of the site would need toaccord with the UDP policies relating todevelopment in designated greenspace. Inaddition, any new development should respectthe setting of the site, including its relation toresidential areas, particularly in the surroundingarea of the school (e.g. Latham Avenue, BostonAvenue, Stenhills Crescent).

It would also be beneficial for the design of anyredevelopment of the site to have regard to theadjacent employment land use off Halton Road,and also to respect the area directly to theNorth of the school site designated as a SpecialLandscape Feature and a Site of Importance forNature Conservation (Stenhills Open Space).Any redevelopment of the site should strive toincorporate and protect the existing proposedGreenway route designated across the schoolsite.

The City Learning Centre (CLC) would remainon the site in its existing site and location. Aswell as being used by the school in question,CLCs are also used by the wider communityincluding pupils from other schools.

Site Description LocationThe Grange Comprehensive School is located inthe New Town area of Runcorn, south of theAstmoor Industrial Estate and north-west of thetown centre at Halton Lea. Immediately to the

north of the school site is Stenhills Open Space. The school is surrounded on three sides byresidential development and by an employmentarea to the far north. The school has playingfields to the north west of the main schoolbuilding, which it shares with nearby primaryschools (due to be incorporated onto the site aspart of the proposed redevelopment).

Physical DescriptionThe Grange Comprehensive is approximately9.55 hectares in size, of which approximately6750m2 is covered by school buildings. The siteis located in a residential area with frontageaccess onto Latham Avenue.In front of the school buildings is a large tarmaccar park and behind it are grassed playing fields.The playing fields are accessed from the schoolbuildings by going down a short, steep slope.The School was constructed circa 1960. Theschool consists of combination of 3 storey, 2storey and single storey buildings. The schoolalso has 3 courtyards (2 open and 1 concealed).Generally the buildings are steel framed (encasedin concrete) with brick / block inner leaves andbrick external facings. Roof constructions varythroughout the blocks, predominantly concreteflat slabs, metal decking with built up membranesover. Extension works have been carried out inthe 1980s and again in 2001. There is also anewer detached Gymnasium of brick and steelframe construction.The buildings which have been added providenecessary accommodation, but do not meet anyoverall masterplan, and result in a dis-jointedfootprint. Access for disabled pupils is poor andrestricted in some buildings.

Recent Relevant Planning History A search has been undertaken regarding theplanning history for this site. There are variousapplications made by and on behalf of TheGrange Comprehensive School for the extension


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and re-modelling of the school site. The mostrecent of which include:� REF: 06/00609/FUL: Proposed erection of

a sprinkler pump house and water storagetank enclosure for new drama classrooms

� REF: 05/00662/HBCEDU: Proposeddemolition of existing mobile classroomand existing PE store and erection of 2no. Art and Drama classrooms, associatedfacilities, new sports hall storage andaccess road linking car park to front ofschool

� REF: 04/00666/FUL: Proposed 1 No.mobile classroom to replace existing

The planning history demonstrates the site hasbeen in educational use since the 1960s and hasundergone extensive expansion since its originalconstruction.

Site Specific DevelopmentObjectives Key Planning ObjectivesAny proposals for The Granges site should haveregard to the following planning objectives:� the provision of playing pitches should be

considered in accordance with The HaltonPlaying Pitch Strategy which envisages theArea Forum 6 (of which The GrangeComprehensive School is located in)having an overall shortfall of 6.1 playingpitches including playing pitches of alltypes by 2012;

� any redevelopment should respect thevalue of the landscape and naturalenvironment of the site. This includesconsideration of the provision and natureof the open space within this site.Landscaping measures incorporating treesand areas of planting should also beconsidered, and should reflect the locallandscape of the surrounding area;

� development should respect the setting ofthe site including its relationship with


surrounding residential areas. This shouldinclude having regard for adjacentemployment land use off Halton Road andnearby areas which are designated asSpecial Landscape Features and a Site aImportance for Nature Conservation; and

� improvements to public transport andadditional pedestrian and cycle routeprovision.

Key Planning IssuesAny development will be assessed against thepolicies outlined within section 3 of the PlanningBrief. Some of the key policies relevant to this site are:� Saved Policies GE6, GE8 and GE9 of

Halton’s Unitary Development Plan� UDP Policy GE10 (seeks to protect

Halton’s greenspace system)� UDP Policy TP9� UDP Policy GE12, GE13 and GE15� UDP Policy GE19 (the site of The Grange

Comprehensive School is adjacentStenhills Open Space, which is adesignated Site of Importance for NatureConservation (SINC). Development willnot be permitted if it is likely to have asignificant effect on a SINC)

� UDP Policy GE24 (states thatdevelopment will not be permitted if itwould have an unacceptable effect on thevisual or physical characteristics for whichthe site was designated as havingimportant landscape features).

The Grange Comprehensive School is in theconsultation zone for the Transco gas pipes atWeston Point/Latham Avenue.

Scheme DesignSite LayoutThe current outline development proposals atThe Granges involve the erection of a large hubwhich will bring together the various educational

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and community functions of the secondaryschool. Behind the Hub will be a curvedcovered “street” giving access to Sports, Art &Drama, General Teaching and Science &Technology blocks and also, at its end, access tothe Primary School and Nursery. The PrimarySchool and Nursery have their own entrance viaLatham Avenue. The proposals also include thedemolition of six existing buildings, which will bereplaced by three new sports pitches.

As an all through school with trust status we willinspire and challenge children and young peopleto ‘Aim High in All Things’. The school will bean inclusive learning community committed topromoting excellence through valuing eachindividual in an exciting learning environment.

The disposition of the different elements of thesecondary school directly express how theschool is organised and the connection to thedistinct but adjoining Nursery & Primaryelements allow the functions to come togetheror be separate when required. The existingCLC building will be retained and will linkdirectly with “the Hub” enabling use by thoseoutside the School, or by the School itself in acontrolled manner. It is felt that a hub andspoke type design will bring about this aim.

Design ApproachAny redevelopment of the site will accord withthe Saved Policies of the UDP relating todevelopment in designated greenspace, withparticular reference to the criteria within policiesGE6 and GE8.

Any new development should respect thesetting of the site, including its relation toresidential areas, particularly on Latham Avenue,Boston Avenue, Quarry Close, Duncan Avenue,Stenhills Crescent and Saxon Road. It would also be beneficial for the design of anyredevelopment of the site to have regard to theadjacent employment land use off Halton Road,

and also to respect the nearby area designatedas a Special Landscape Feature and a Site ofImportance for Nature Conservation. Anyredevelopment of the site should strive toincorporate and protect the existing Greenwayacross the school site, and also respect theexisting primary schools

Building HeightsWhile the size of the site would allow for areasonable scale of development, any newbuildings would need to respond to the existingscale of buildings adjoining and on the oppositesides of the streets. Given the respectfuldistance between existing residential buildings onthe opposite side of Latham Avenue and BostonAvenue, a development of up to two storeyswould be appropriate. This includes all tanks, liftover-runs and plant. The height of any newbuildings close to the residential properties onBoston Avenue would need to be lower toavoid adverse impacts in terms of over-dominance, overshadowing, and loss of light, andwould need to be designed to avoid a loss ofprivacy to these dwellings.

MassingThe Hub building with the adjoining “street” willbe double height spaces with a low pitch conicalroof. The existing Sports Hall will be retainedand refurbished. The two teaching blocks,forming the “spokes”, will be two-storey and theNursery and primary element single storey.

NoiseFollowing the guidance of BB93 a naturalventilation strategy will be adopted withattenuated vents on the exposed facades. Onthe shielded facades cross flow ventilation forthe standard classrooms and single sided, twinopenings for the practical classrooms may besuitable depending on the location and geometryof the classroom.The noise levels are above those considered


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suitable for playgrounds and playing fields. Therecommended noise levels for outdoorplayground, playing fields and teaching areas maybe possible for shielded locations.The Granges will be affected most by thepredicted increase in aircraft noise, and with thefuture growth of the airport it would be prudentfor the design of the building envelope to bebased on a minimum external noise level of 55dB. To provide mitigation against aircraft noiselevels opening windows will be top hung andoutward opening to prevent noise from beingdirected into teaching spaces.

Accommodation during Construction If the school site is redeveloped on land adjacentto the existing buildings, the existing schoolbuildings would be largely retained on the sitewhilst works are carried out without the needfor any decant accommodation.If decant accommodation should be used, thisshould minimise impact to local residents andhave sufficient access and enable the school tocontinue to function and not risk educationalattainment.

Access and CirculationThe existing vehicle entrance points fromLatham Avenue will be repositioned to easetraffic flow within the site and to provide a moreimpressive aspect of the new building at thepoints of entry. Circulation within the newcomplex will be facilitated by a visible and legibleplan arrangement, easy to control and superviseand civilised in its operation.

A Traffic and Transport Baseline Report (ScottWilson, 2008d) has been carried out and nosignificant adverse transportation effects havebeen identified.

A Transport Assessment is currently beingcompleted for the site and should considerissues such as:

� cycle provision, including improvementand linkage to Greenway through the site,as well as storage and other facilities;

� current problems with overspill on toLatham Avenue and impacts on busservices and capacity issues at Boston andLatham Avenue junctions and possibleFestival Way;

� more provision for parking, and dedicatedpick-up/drop off points;

� methods to reduce current high single-occupancy car usage; and

� wider impacts on bus access (includingany revenue implications).


Playing FieldsIn the Halton Playing Pitch Strategy, The GrangeHigh School is located in Area Forum 6, which isshown to have a total overall shortfall of 4.1playing pitches, including playing pitches of alltypes.

TreesAdditional trees and shrubs will be plantedwithin the new quadrangle and courtyard spacesto be created around the new building.

A Tree Survey (Scott Wilson, 2008f) has beencarried out in accordance with Halton UDPSaved Policy GE27 and has identified tencategory B trees which will be lost through thedevelopment of the Control Option. A reviewof the scheme layout to prevent the loss of allor some of these trees should be undertaken.

Where the removal of these trees cannot beprevented, then a high quality landscape schemewill be implemented to mitigate their loss.Category B trees should be considered in thedesign layout of development.


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Any development and construction operationsshould be so located that it does not breach thetree protection zones noted on the plan fortrees to be retained.

Ground Conditions Consultation with the Council’s EnvironmentalHealth Division will be required in regards to theschools close proximity to the landfill site atStenhills Quarry, Runcorn.

EcologyAn Ecological Walkover and External Bat RoostPotential Survey (Scott Wilson, 2008b) havebeen carried out and no protected species orBat Roost Potential were identified.

The Japanese knotweed stands at The Grangesshould be treated or removed, if works are tobe undertaken within 7 m of the stands, underSchedule 9, Section 14 (2) of the Wildlife andCountryside Act 1981 (as amended) and theEnvironmental Protection Act 1990.

The planning application should include sufficientinformation regarding the potential treatment orremoval of Japanese knotweed, and measures(such as fenced exclusion zone) to preventaccidental disturbance by contractors). The

applicant must comply with the EnvironmentAgency published guidance on the managementof Japanese knotweed ‘The Knotweed Code ofPractice’ (Environment Agency, 2006).

Nature Conservation SitesThe development will comply with HaltonBorough Council UDP, policy GE19, in regardsto the nearby Stenhills Open Space, a Site ofImportance for Nature Conservation.


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The Vision for the school is to further enhancethe high performance in all aspects of students’personal and academic development by engaginglearners in an exciting curriculum which balancesinnovation and discovery with reflection, selfevaluation and pastoral support. The schoolwants to address increasing inequalities for

Appendix 8The Heath SchoolIntroductionThe purpose of this Planning Guidance forDevelopment Control Purposes is to provideguidance specific to the redevelopment of TheHeath Specialist technology College as part ofHalton’s ‘Building Schools for the Future’ (BSF)Initiative (where this differs from that providedin the main body of the document). The Heath School is currently an 11-16 agerange comprehensive with a population ofapproximately 1050 pupils. The proposal underBSF is for the school to continue to cater forthe 11-16 age range, but to increase in numberto accommodate a population of 1200 pupils.

Halton Building Schools for the FutureAppendix 8 – The Heath School

Halton learners from different communities andhas an aspiration to widen participationopportunities both through the development ofthe curriculum and through the extendedschools agenda and to offer a personalisedpathway to every young person.

The school plans to engage the widercommunity through multi-generational access toopportunities through a cultural and sportscentre, a gallery, and e-learning hub and alearning resource centre for local people. As aSpecialist Technology College with HighPerforming Special School Status (HPSS) and asecond specialism as a leadership partnershipschool (which is with National College forSchool Leadership (NCSL) and Youth SportsTrust), the provision of a rich variety of mediaand ICT is essential and this underpins thepersonalised approach to learning.

The school wants to continue to work inpartnership with other children’s servicesagencies such as Connexions and healthcareproviders.

The ProposalThe indicative Control Option proposals at this

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site include the demolition of three existingbuildings which will be replaced by two newhard standing games courts, car parks and softlandscaping. A new school building will also bebuilt, encompassing the entire school into onebuilding. New areas of hardstanding are alsoproposed in the form of paving, roads and carparking, as shown in the Possible OBC ControlOption schematic, attached to the back of thisAppendix.

Site Description LocationThe Heath Specialist Technology College islocated in western Runcorn, close to The HeathBusiness Park. The site is accessed via CliftonRoad and is surrounded by residentialdevelopment on three sides. The school hasplaying fields attached, located north-west of themain school building. Beyond these playing fieldsis the Liverpool branch of the West CoastRailway Line.

Physical DescriptionThe Heath Specialist Technology College coversa total area of approximately 11 hectares, ofwhich approximately 6,190 m2 is covered byschool buildings.

The site is located on the northern slope of a hilloverlooking Runcorn town centre. The south-western part of site is approximately 51.3mAOD and the north-east side is approximately46.5 mAOD. The current site is split into twodistinct parts. The upper part accommodating allof the School buildings follows the naturalcontours and slopes at an approximately one inten gradient from the south west to the northeast. The lower, longer part of the site has beenre-graded to form a plateau and accommodatesgrass playing pitches and an artificial Sports pitch.

The long north east boundary adjoins a railwayline. The north western boundary adjoins a

primary school‘s playing fields and the remainingboundaries adjoin residential gardens.

The main access to the site is via Clifton Roadand consists of a relatively narrow roadway withfootpaths alongside.

Due to the slope of the site, the currentbuildings are terraced and the spaces betweenare haphazard and not particularly attractive.Vehicles are not well separated from pupil areas.Because part of the existing terracing, the mainReception entrance to the School complex isnot conspicuous and is difficult to identify.

Recent Relevant Planning History The available planning history for this site showsa series of planning applications made by and onbehalf of The Heath for the incrementalextension and remodelling of the school site.The three most recent of these include:� 06/00398/HBCFUL: Proposed street

lighting to access road and internal road.� 05/00552/FUL: Proposed erection of a

single storey, open sided, covered shelterin centre of existing school playground.

� 02/00313/HBC: Proposed provision of busturnaround within site for four schoolbuses and creation of a temporary carparking area.

The planning history shows The Heath Schoolsite has been used as an educational facility sinceits construction in the early 1970s, withadditional extensions and alterations since thattime.

Site Specific DevelopmentObjectives Key Planning ObjectivesAny development at The Heath School shouldconsider the following planning objectives as partof the proposals:


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� there is potential to introduce a newdedicated school bus service networkwhich could incorporate the provision ofPark and Ride facilities;

� further enhancements to east/westpedestrian and cycling links;

� modifications to drop—off and pick upfacility where required. Capacity issues atHeath Road / Clifton Road / Moughlandmay need to be reviewed;

� the provision of playing pitches should beconsidered in accordance with The HaltonPlaying Pitch Strategy which envisages theArea Forum 6 (of which The HeathCollege is located in) having an overallshortfall of 6.1 playing pitches includingplaying pitches of all types;


� any new development should respect thesetting of the site, particularly in relationto surrounding residential areas at MalpasRoad, Clifton Road, Beaufort Close,Penrhyn Crescent, Kenilworth Avenue andLudlow Crescent. Development shouldalso have regard for the nearby primaryschool.

Key Planning IssuesAny development will be assessed against thepolicies outlined within section 3 of the PlanningBrief. Some of the key policies relating to this site are:� Saved Policies GE6, GE8 and GE9 of

Halton’s Unitary Development Plan� UDP Policies GE12, GE13 and GE15The majority of the Heath site is in the “middle”consultation zone from PADHI (Planning Advice


for Developments near Hazardous Installations),as a result of operations at the Ineos Chlor andIneos Fluor sites. This means that any proposeddevelopment for the site would have to undergoconsultation with the Heath and Safety Executive(HSE).

Scheme Design Site Layout The proposal is to construct a wholly newSchool on a vacant portion of land adjoining thelong north western boundary. This solution hastwo inherent advantages – it avoids therequirement for temporary accommodation asthe new School can be constructed whileexisting buildings are occupied. Also, animpressive new and imaginatively landscaped“forecourt” can be provided for the new buildingon the footprint of the current School. This willprovide a clear and legible arrangement ofbuildings which will be appreciated as soon asthe main site opens up at the end of the accessroad. As well as informal landscaping to formimproved social areas for pupils and properlydesigned car parking, additional formal socialareas and play courts will be positioned here.


Any new development should respect thesetting of the site, including its relation toresidential areas, particularly on Malpas Road,Clifton Road, Beaufort Close, Penrhyn Crescent,Kenilworth Avenue and Ludlow Crescent. It would also be beneficial for the design of anyredevelopment of the Heath site to have respectfor the nearby primary school. With this in mind,it is proposed to form pedestrian links between

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the two sites and to take a small portion of theprimary school site to form an amphitheatrewith a covered seating area which can be sharedbetween The Heath and the adjoining primaryschool.

The indicative Control Option proposals for thenew School closely reflects the philosophy forthe delivery of the curriculum. The northeastern end of the new complex will houseSports, Drama, Music, Science, School Hall, MainFoyer, Café, Reception, Technology and Art. Itis intended that all of these functions will beavailable to both the pupils and also thecommunity and other interested parties. Thedesign has been arranged to make all of thesedynamic processes immediately evident onentering the Foyer area.

The south western end of the building will housethe general teaching areas and the quieter, moreacademic processes – such as Languages, Maths,History, Geography. This accommodation isarranged around the central quadrangle and willalso accommodate the main Dining provision forthe School.

Building HeightsThe new building will be to a maximum of 2storeys, respecting the adjoining residences.

Air QualityThe local authority air quality officer may requirethe impact of increased school traffic on local airquality to be assessed, in accordance withPlanning Policy Statement 23: Planning andPollution Control (PPS 23). This is because theadditional number of students proposed at thisschool has the potential to increase the numberof vehicles on Bridgewater (A533), RuncornSpur Road (B5155) and Central (A533) iftravelling from the north, and West Point(A557) if travelling from the south.

The additional number of vehicles wouldincrease the pollutant concentrations to theexisting local air quality, which has the potentialto affect both short and long term air quality.Therefore the significance of this may requireassessment.

NoiseIn accordance with BB93, the noise levels acrossthe site are suitable for natural ventilation. Singlesided, twin opening ventilation will providesuitable attenuation for the standard andpractical classrooms.

The noise levels are suitable for playgrounds andplaying fields. The recommended noise levels foroutdoor teaching areas may be possible forshielded locations.

Accommodation during Construction

Because the new buildings will be constructedon a vacant area of the site and occupied beforethe demolition of the existing building stock,there will be no need for temporaryaccommodation.

Access and CirculationThe Transport Statement or Assessment for thesite of The Heath must consider:� the potential for an increased demand for

school bus services from the HaltonLodge, Halton Brook, Castlefields andPalacefields areas;

� the potential to introduce a newdedicated school bus service network tothe site and support the extended schoolsinitiative. There is also potential toinvestigate the provision of Park and Ridefacilities. The revenue implications of bothof these should be considered;

� further enhancements to east /westwalking (and others as appropriate,


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considering pupil distribution) and cyclinglinks to cater for demand, provision ofaccess directly from the site (e.g. at therear) onto these routes, andimprovements within the site toencourage cycling and walking (e.g. cycleparking and showers);

� onsite carparking and reducing overspillinto surrounding residential areas;

� travel plan measures to further build onhigh bus use and carshare to the site;

� the recently introduced drop-off and pick-up facility and relocation and/orimprovement (including shelters) asappropriate; and

� capacity issues at Heath Road / CliftonRoad / Moughland Lane junction.


Playing FieldsIn the Halton Playing Pitch Strategy, The HeathSpecialist Technology College is located in AreaForum 6, which is shown to have a total overallshortfall of 4.1 playing pitches, including playingpitches of all types.

TreesA Tree Survey (Scott Wilson, 2008) has beencarried out in accordance with Halton UDPSaved Policy GE27 and identified two category Btrees that may be lost through theimplementation of the Control Option, althoughthese trees may be able to be incorporated intoproposed landscape areas. Where trees are removed, their loss will bemitigated through the implementation of a welldesigned landscape scheme.


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Cavendish school responds to the needs of awide and diverse community of young peoplewith Special Educational Needs. The school’svision is to respond with a dedicated servicedesigned to meet the needs of three maingroups of learners; young people with AutisticSpectrum Disorder (ASD), Profound andMultiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and LowCognition Behaviour. It currently has an agerange of 2-19 and caters for a population ofapproximately 50 pupils. The proposal underBSF is to maintain the population, but to changethe age range to 14-19.It is an implicit aspect of the school’s vision that

Appendix 9 Cavendish SchoolIntroduction The purpose of this Planning Guidance forDevelopment Control Purposes is to provideguidance specific to the redevelopment ofCavendish School as part of Halton’s ‘BuildingSchools for the Future’ (BSF) Initiative (whereit differs from that provided in the main bodyof the document).

Halton Building Schools for the FutureAppendix 9 – Cavendish School

it recognises that each young person learnsdifferently so within these three distinct areas ofprovision, a high degree of accessibility isrequired so that basic access rights andentitlements are fully met, and that sufficientflexibility is provided to embed inspiring andappropriate personalised learning plans for everystudent.

The school sees ‘everything as learning’ and thatinclusion in life and learning opportunities relieson the student community participating inactivities off-site as much as other learners andmembers of the community coming on to site towork alongside Cavendish learners. Theemphasis on participation is exemplified by theschool’s vision for increasing opportunities increative arts.

The school community also includes anAssessment Centre for learners and a TrainingCentre for borough and other professionals todevelop good practice in both the mainstreamand special school environment.

The ProposalThe indicative Control Option proposals at

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Cavendish School include extensions to theexisting buildings and new areas of paving alongwith a more gradual ramp linking the two levelsof the site, incorporating a new amphi-theatre, asshown in the Possible OBC Control Optionschematic. Extensions to the existing schoolbuildings are already underway, attached to theback of this Appendix.

Site Description LocationCavendish School is located near Rocksavage, insouth west Runcorn. The school is located nearto the Runcorn Busway and the Weston PointExpressway and is surrounded by residentialdevelopment on the northern and eastern sides.On its western boundary is a golf course.

Physical DescriptionCavendish School covers an area ofapproximately 1.3 hectares, and approximately1310 m2 of this is covered by existing schoolbuildings. The existing site is characterised by having twodistinctly different levels. The natural contoursslope from west to east, with the existing mainbuilding and play areas cut into the ground tocreate a level area. The grass areas are onsloping ground. The southern end of the site liesat approximately 68.7 m AOD and gently falls toapproximately 64.3 m AOD towards the centre.

The existing School building is situated on thelower part of the site with vehicle access fromLincoln Close. As well as the main buildings, thislower part of the site accommodates a smallparking area, some play areas and service accessto the rear of the buildings.

There is grass banking running along the westernelevation of the buildings which rises to theupper level of the site – housing a bungalowused by pupils studying life skills. There is also a

play area situated on this upper part of the site.The two levels are currently linked by a gradualramp, rising along the southern boundary of thesite, although the gradient is too steep forunassisted wheelchair access.

Recent Relevant Planning History A search has been undertaken regarding theplanning history for this site. There are variousapplications made by and on behalf of CavendishSchool for the extension and re-modelling of theschool site. The most recent of which include:� 07/00663/HBCEDU: Proposed extension

and adaptation of existing school.� 01/00556/EDU: Proposed single storey

garage and extension to raise the heightof existing garage.

� 99/00166/EDU: Proposed extension tocar park.

The planning history on site demonstratesCavendish School has been used as a schoolsince its construction in the 1960s. The buildingshave undergone some modern extensions suchas ongoing works to create new class rooms, halland staff room.

Development Objectives Key Planning ObjectivesAny development at Cavendish School shouldhave regard to the following planning objectives:� further work will be required to assess

transport provision, accessibility and anycongestion issues;

� the provision of playing pitches should beconsidered in accordance with The HaltonPlaying Pitch Strategy which envisages theArea Forum 6 (of which CavendishSchool is located in) having an overallshortfall of 6.1 playing pitches includingplaying pitches of all types by 2012;

� any development should have regard tothe setting of the site and particularly on


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surrounding residential areas. It would alsobe beneficial for proposals to have regardto adjacent employment land off HaltonRoad. The development should haverespect to the nearby area designated as aSpecial Landscape Feature and a Site ofImportance for Nature Conservation; and

� the existing Greenway across the schoolsite should be incorporated into thedesign. The existing Primary schoolsshould also be respected.

Key Planning IssuesAny development will be assessed against thepolicies outlined within section 3 of the PlanningBrief. Some of the key policies relevant to this site are:� Saved Policies GE6, GE8 and GE9 of

Halton’s Unitary Development Plan� UDP Policy GE10 (development should

also consider the sites location within agreenspace system and provide networksof interconnecting greenspaces with visual,physical, functional and structural linkages).

� UDP Policy TP9� UDP Policies GE12, GE13 and GE15.� UDP Policy H8 (building to the north

west of the school site is within thePrimary Residential Area, thereforedevelopment must not detract from thecharacter of the area or the amenity ofresidents).

The Cavendish School site is in the “middle”consultation zone from PADHI (Planning Advicefor Developments near Hazardous Installations),as a result of operations at the Ineos Chlor andIneos Fluor sites. Because of this, any proposeddevelopment for the site would have to undergoconsultation with the Health and SafetyExecutive (HSE). The Cavendish School is also inthe consultation zone for two pipelines: aTransco pipe at Weston Point / Lathom Avenue,and also the Sabic Trans Pennine EthylenePipeline.


Scheme Design Site Layout The Proposal will include the installation of amore gradual ramp linking the two levels of thesite with the curve of the ramp incorporating anew amphi-theatre. Additionally, easier risingsteps will be positioned northwards runningdiagonally along the bank. The line of the newramp will enclose improved social areas forpupils.


Any new development should respect thesetting of the site, including its relation toresidential areas, particularly on Lincoln Closeand Sandown Close. It would also be advantageous to ensure thatany redevelopment of the site did not havedetrimental impacts on the function and amenityof the Greenway that runs along the southernboundary of the school site.

NoiseIn accordance with BB93, the noise levels acrossthe site at Cavendish school are suitable fornatural ventilation, if attenuated vents are usedfor standard and SEN classrooms. Practicalclassrooms may be vented with a crossflowsystem depending on the classroom geometry,location and class size. The external noise levelsare above those considered suitable forplaygrounds and playing fields.

As the change in student numbers is consideredsignificant for this site, further noise assessment isrequired regarding the affect of the noise fromschool playing fields on neighbouring properties.

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Accommodation during Construction The only major work proposed within theexisting buildings consists of the formation of anew vocational workshop complex withinexisting teaching and garage areas. The relativelyminor intervention required should enable thework to be carried out during the summerholiday period, thus avoiding the need fortemporary accommodation. The largest portionof work will be centred around external workswhich will not precipitate any additionalaccommodation requirements.

Access and CirculationThe Transport Statement or Assessment for thesite of Cavendish School must consider:� on street parking by the residents, as this

means there is little room for turning ofconstruction vehicles;

� heavy reliance on dedicated organisedshared transport to the site for learners,and the potential need for moreconventional bus service links to copewith increased numbers at the site, alongwith improved pedestrian links to thenearest bus stops and wider;

� existing transport issues – there weresome issues with last expansionapplication with local residents and use ofRocksavage Way, which is not suitable asan exit route;

� pick up and drop off operation;� parking demand/capacity; and� servicing.Any site-specific transport issues identified duringthe Transport Assessment or Statement must beaddressed within the planning application.

Playing FieldsIn the Halton Playing Pitch Strategy, CavendishSchool is located in Area Forum 6, which isshown to have a total shortfall of 4.1 playingpitches, including playing pitches of all types.


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Halton Borough CouncilHalton Building Schools for the Future

Operational DirectorEnvironmental and Regulatory ServicesEnvironment DirectorateHalton Borough CouncilRutland HouseHalton LeaRuncornWA7 2GWwww.halton.gov.uk/forwardplanning

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