Oaktree School

Oaktree School is a maintained day school that caters to students with Moderate and Severe Learning Difficulties (MLD and SLD). The children that attend the school are between the ages of 7 and 19 (Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 5). The school is co-educational and currently accommodates up to 137 students and young adults. The school plays an essential role in the local community.

Planning Potential were appointed to run both the pre-application process and planning application for the expansion and refurbishment of this crucial facility, to enhance the school, improve access and increase student and staff intake. The intention of the project was to optimise the site, allowing for a facility that improves the experience for the students that attend.

Planning Potential managed a detailed pre-application process, on behalf of the client, with both the Local Planning Authority and Sport England. The detail front loaded, at pre-application stage, resulted in many matters being agreed prior to submission, and importantly resulted in no objection from Sport England, despite the loss of an area of playing field. Planning Potential worked hard with Sport England to ensure that the proposals for the site led to a betterment for the school and its environment, through the creation of multi-use areas of play.

Comments were also received from the Urban Design team during the pre-application process in which further details were provided as part of the planning application. Following a review of the current application, Officers consider that the earlier points raised by the Urban Design team had been addressed and that the proposal would relate sympathetically with the character of the school and enhance its appearance at this location without resulting in any visual damage within this section of the street.

Planning Potential also produced a supporting Open Space Needs Assessment, in support of the planning application.

Working closely with the Local Planning Authority, Planning Potential were able to secure Planning Permission via a delegated decision with no technical objections.

Officers concluded that the proposed extensions and refurbishment of the site to provide improved educational facilities and meet the needs of the school are supported and the proposed educational development would accord with the existing established character within the setting.

Summary of achievements

• Management of the Pre-Application Process with the LPA and Sport England
• Project management of the planning process and consultant team
• Preparation of compelling evidence to support the application, including an Open Space Needs Assessment
• Full co-ordination and submission of the planning application
• Negotiation and liaison with the Local Planning Authority
• Securing full planning permission