Meeting documents

Appx 6

Hayesfield School Technology College Head teacher statement to the Council Executive

6 September 2006

Bath and NE Somerset Local Plan Inspector's Report Agenda Item 11

B1 Policy S.3: Hayesfield School playing field/St Martin's Garden Primary School site

Statement in favour of the adoption of the Inspector's Recommendation into the Local Plan

The Governors of Hayesfield School have requested that I confirm that we wish to see the school playing field on Frome Road incorporated into a planned mixed land use development as indicated in the Inspector's Report - Section 4. On the basis that it will release funds to reinvest primarily in sports and recreational facilities on the main school sites.

The Inspector commented that 'early development at Odd Down has the potential to provide a number of benefits' para 4.37. I shall now outline these potential benefits.

Convenience Retail

As identified in the Nathaniel Lichfield Partners Study, should convenience retail be located on the site this will negate the deficiency in convenience retailing in Bath and south Bath in particular. The development therefore has benefits from a sustainability point of view, providing convenience shopping in a locality of significant residential population. It would therefore result in a significant reduction in vehicle miles travelled into and through the congested City Centre and reduce vehicle travel to neighbouring Norton Radstock or Bristol for food retailing purposes.

Education, Sport and Recreation

The mixed development might also provide for a planned and resourced recreational area which would deliver more than the current inaccessible open area of Hayesfield School playing field. This would therefore enhance local recreation provision both of an informal and formal nature.

The playing field is of little value to Hayesfield School given its location and condition. The playing field is just under two miles from the main school site. The sport facilities at Hayesfield School fall well below the standard expected for a secondary school; Oftsed confirmed this judgement, as did representatives from the DfES on a recent visit. Should the land be released for sale for mixed land use purposes the funds would be reinvested into much needed capital projects to develop the school accommodation with a phase one focus on improving sports facilities on the two main sites. Our ambition is to enhance existing outdoor sports facilities by replacing redgra and tarmac play areas with all weather playing surfaces thereby increasing potential usage threefold and, importantly, building a new purpose built sport centre for school and potential community use. This would not only benefit the 1200 students who attend Hayesfield School but might also act as a sport and recreation hub for the students, their parents and residence living in the areas of Oldfield Park, Twerton and Bearflat - all within walking distance of the school site. Currently the closest sports facilities for these communities would be the Sports Centre in the City Centre or Culverhay School which are a bus ride away. It should also be noted that discussions with Sport England and the Local Authority confirm that there are no alternative sources of funding, in the foreseeable future, for the school to access to fund the refurbishment and building of essential sport facilities on the main two sites.

Therefore should the Executive approve the adoption of the Inspector's Recommendation there will be a number of significant educational, recreational and convenience retailing benefits for Bath residents.

Erica Draisey

Head teacher

Hayesfield School Technology College