Agenda item

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Proposal: Full application for the proposed erection of a single storey extension to the existing dining hall and a two-storey extension to the existing Sixth Form block to provide 8 no. new classrooms, plus a new canopy to the front entrance and a services and bin store, following demolition of the existing services and bin store.

Applicant: Wokingham Borough Council

The Committee considered a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 131 to 186.

Andy Hinchcliff, applicant, spoke in support of the application.  Andy stated that for September 2022 St Crispins had taken an additional 100 pupils to help local communities to gain secondary school places, and would take an additional 55 pupils in September 2023.  Factors such as a bulge year moving from primary to secondary school, incoming families from Hong King, Ukraine and other areas, and new housing developments, increased pressure on school places.  Andy commented that St Crispin’s had opened in 1953 and the planned cohort had been 450.  The dining space seated 140 people.  The school now had 1400 pupils.  Whilst the school had grown over the years the dining space had remained unchanged and was now inadequate in size.   The new dining area would have greater capacity and allow the school curriculum to grow.  Currently other areas such as the hall were used for pupils. Meaning it could not be used for Duke Edinburgh activities, sports, and exams.  Andy stated that extending the Sixth Form would support the growth of the school and create an additional 8 classrooms.

Stephen Conway commented that the Built Heritage Officer had objected to the application as it was a listed building.  He went on to state that whilst he was in favour of preserving listed buildings, he was of the view that any harm that the proposal may cause to the listed building, was outweighed by the improved facilities at the school and the additional capacity that would be created.

Stephen Conway proposed that the application be approved in line with the officer recommendation. This was seconded by Andrew Mickleburgh.

RESOLVED: That application number 223603 be approved subject to conditions and informatives as set out in agenda pages 149 to 160.