Plan for former school site (From Salisbury Journal)

Plan for former school site

7:09am Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Morwenna Blake

FEARS have been raised about the danger that could be posed to children if a proposal for 60 new homes near their school is given the go-ahead.

Members of Wiltshire Council’s southern area planning committee will meet today to discuss a planning application put forward by Taylor Wimpey (Southern Counties) Ltd for the homes, as well as public open space and new vehicle and pedestrian access at the site of the former Highbury and Fisherton Manor school site in Salisbury.

The council has received 124 letters of objection to the proposal, but planning officers have recommended its approval.

The officer’s report to the committee states: “The redevelopment of this brownfield, former school site which has been unused for a number of years will result in 60 residential units, including 24 affordable units which will contribute to both the private and affordable housing stock in Salisbury and help to meet the council’s key housing targets.”

Concerns have been raised by the nearby Manor Fields Primary School and Busy Bees pre-school about the plan to divert the existing footpath to the school at the southern end of the development site.

The school fears that changing the layout of the footpath and creating an open space at the end of the development will make the path less safe, as at present parents can drop children at one end of the footpath and know that as it goes straight to the school, it is unlikely there will be any members of the public not visiting the school on the path.

But the officer’s report states: “The only change is that parents will need to escort their children along this path, which is not considered unreasonable given the short distance involved.”

Salisbury City Council has also objected to the plan, citing overdevelopment of the site, inadequate parking for the number of proposed properties and an increase of traffic along Highbury Avenue.

The council has also requested that further consideration is given to the footpath being developed to serve only the school.

The Highways Agency has raised no objections to the plan.

The southern area planning committee meeting will be held at Salisbury City Hall at 6pm.