Issue - meetings

APPROVED  SUBJECT TO CONSULTATION WITH THE SCHOOL

Description of application – Variation of condition 1 of permission reference 16/02702 /RECON to increase the number of pupils aged over 17 years of age or older from 25 to 65 (The total number of pupils attending the school is not proposed to be increased beyond 225 as approved under 14/03754/VAR).

Oral representations in support of the application were received at the meeting.  A late submission from the School and additional information from the agent with regard to student numbers across the years had been received and circulated to Members.

Ward Member, Councillor Boughey referred Condition 1 attached to planning application, reference 16/02702/RECON, which restricted the number of pupils to 225 at any one time and for no more than 25 pupils to be aged over 17 years.  She emphasised this condition had been imposed for a reason and, in her view the only change in circumstances since that permission was granted, was an increase in traffic on a Friday for Prayers.  She objected to the application and in her view the upper age limit should remain at seventeen years.

Councillor Terence Nathan’s view was that the pupils and also the Country benefitted the secondary school education with higher Islamic Studies offered by the School and he supported the application.

Councillor Charles Joel referred to the growth and expansion of many schools in the Borough and the requirement for this School and he also supported the application.

The Chairman acknowledged Councillor Boughey’s local knowledge of the area and, she considered there had not been any material change in circumstances, and objected to the application.

The Chief Planner’s representative reminded Members that all the pupils boarded and therefore if the upper age limit were to be extended, there would be no additional traffic movements and, if the application were to be refused, there would be no basis for a ground of refusal for ‘harm’.

Members having considered the report, objections and representations, RESOLVED that the APPLICATION be APPROVED as recommended, subject to the conditions set out in the report of the chief planner and, SUBJECT TO CONSULTATION WITH THE APPLICANT REGARDING THE IMPOSITION OF A CONDITION TO LIMIT THE MAXIMUM AGE OF PUPILS ATTENDING TO 22 YEARS, and for the case to be reported back to Plans Sub-Committee 3 on 21^st December 2017.