The Planning Applications Committee of Kent Council was scheduled to discuss a proposed expansion of Oakwood Park Grammar School in Maidstone. The meeting's agenda also included a review of matters dealt with under delegated powers.

Oakwood Park Grammar School Expansion

The committee was scheduled to consider a proposal for the expansion of Oakwood Park Grammar School in Maidstone. This development includes the extension of the existing Science Block, the erection of a new three-court Sports Hall and General Teaching Block, and the installation of a four-court Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and a 22-space parking area. The aim of these works is to facilitate a one Form of Entry (1FE) expansion of the school, increasing its capacity.

The report pack indicated that the proposal was supported by an Education Statement from the Kent County Council (KCC) Assistant Director for Education (West Kent), highlighting an identified need for additional selective secondary provision for boys in the Maidstone and Malling Education Planning Group. Forecasts suggest growing Year 7 cohort sizes due to increased housing development in Maidstone. The expansion would permanently increase Oakwood Park Grammar School's Pupil Admission Number (PAN) from 160 to 190 from September 2027.

The report pack detailed amendments made to the original design following objections from Maidstone Borough Council and local residents. These amendments aimed to address concerns regarding the bulk and mass of the sports hall building, its visual impact, and its relationship with neighbouring properties. The revised design included reducing the height of the building at its western edge and incorporating articulated brickwork and cladding.

The report pack also outlined various planning policies relevant to the application, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan Review. These policies cover aspects such as the presumption in favour of sustainable development, the importance of sports facilities, design quality, highway safety, and environmental considerations like biodiversity net gain and flood risk.

Consultations with various bodies were noted, including no objections from Maidstone Borough Council, Sport England, KCC Highways and Transportation Officer, KCC Biodiversity Officer, KCC Flood and Water Management Officer, KCC School Travel Planner, County Archaeological Officer, and the Environment Agency. However, objections were received from local residents concerning the impact on their amenity, construction and operating hours, access, parking, and the loss of trees.

The report pack indicated that the officer's recommendation was for permission to be granted, subject to the imposition of numerous conditions. These conditions covered aspects such as development commencement timelines, adherence to submitted details, removal of temporary classrooms, tree protection, landscape schemes, bat surveys, lighting plans, mitigation strategies for other species, construction management plans, and verification reports for drainage systems. A specific condition was recommended to restrict the use of the sports hall, MUGA, and car park to Oakwood Park Grammar School only, preventing community use outside of school hours.

Matters Dealt With Under Delegated Powers

The committee was also scheduled to receive information on matters determined under delegated powers since the previous meeting. This included:

• County matter applications: A report on applications determined under delegated powers, with an example provided of an approved application for details relating to Weatherlees Hill Wastewater Treatment Works in Ramsgate.
• County Council developments: A report on KCC developments determined under delegated powers, with examples including the approval of a Biodiversity Gain Plan for land through the chalk spine under the B255 Bean Road, Bluewater Shopping Centre and Eastern Quarry in Dartford, and the permission granted for the demolition of mobile classrooms and erection of a new block at Dover Grammar School for Girls.
• Screening opinions under Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017: A note indicating that no screening opinions had been adopted under delegated powers that required an Environmental Statement, nor any that determined a proposal did not constitute EIA development.
• Scoping opinions under Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017: A note indicating that no scoping opinions had been adopted under delegated powers.