1. Please indicate the type of children’s centre services and extended school services that will be possible (pg 3 ‘Proposals for The Laurels site’).
The core services for children's centres are health provision, education and childcare, family support and information advice and guidance for parents and carers. All of these services can be provided within the new facilities as they are currently planned, with the exception of full day care for the youngest children. There is sufficient provision of that type in Tilehurst, including in the Day Nursery near to the proposed site. Subject to consultation, as we develop plans for the new facilities there is the opportunity to work with stakeholders to consider how other elements of the core offer would be provided.
Extended schools are being planned on an area basis. It is not yet clear what range of services might be provided by new facilities proposed here, but we are clear that the combination of facilities available on the site provides us with opportunities to exploit. Extended services need not require additional space but can be provided through effective shared use of existing space.
2. Please indicate if the specification for the primary school, and the nursery school agreed at the Cabinet meeting in March 20005 remain, or have they been enlarged to meet the needs of extended school and children’s centre provision. There was no indication in this cabinet paper of any facilities for the new services referred to. If it is easier please just give me the tabulated specifications for the primary, nursery schools, clinic, and library . I will check them against the March 2005 details.
The specification of
the building has not changed since 2005.
There will be a detailed design process following the public
consultation assuming approval to proceed is granted. .
3. Please say if the suggested design feature: the ‘internal street’ would be open during the non-opening hours of the library etc. Have the police commented on safety aspects of this suggested design? If the street will not be open, does the suggested design include public notice facilities available to view during non-opening hours? Even if it is open it is unlikely people will be happy to venture into the ‘internal street to view notices in dark conditions.
It
is important to remember that the design proposed is just an outline design and
has to be worked up fully, in due course.
That said the idea of an internal street is a popular architectural tool
at present and appears to be working elsewhere. It is anticipated at this early stage that the street would only
be open when one or more buildings are operational. As yet Thames Valley Police have not raised any concerns, however
they would be consulted further as part of any detailed design phase. Public notice space could potentially be
provided elsewhere on site to make it visible during closed hours, however this
would not be worked up until the detailed design phase.
4. What does ‘providing a public and private interface to the facility’ mean? Which facility etc?
The facility is a general term
referring to the building or community facilities, the public private interface
is where the public section of the building meets the private, i.e the library
and health clinic meets the school.
5. Regarding the library, please confirm that the specification in the
cabinet paper has not been reduced. The library has been
designed to the same specification as advised in march 2005.
6. Please confirm that there is an arithmetical error –i.e. the net addition is 188 sq meters not 118 sq meters.
Yes, the net addition
is indeed 188 square metres.
The land (including the ex nursery school site) is
the subject matter of the Charitable Trust. Any disposal would have to comply
with the Charities Act and would have to be in the best interests of the
beneficiaries and it is likely the consent of the Charity Commission would be
required.
There are no plans by the Council in respect of
the disposal of any land, which is subject to the Charitable Trust.
8. Please confirm that there will be changing facilities as well as toilets to let, and that parts of the building can be isolated ie rendered inaccessible to groups renting the pitches.
Changing
facilities will not be provided onsite.
Any community letting will not compromise the security of the school.
9. Will lighting be provided for the synthetic pitches, (or at least power provided for subsequent updating) to facilitate use by community groups throughout the year?
There are no plans to
allow lighting at this stage.
10. Please indicate the scale of reduction of the resale value of the junior site with planning conditions on re-using at least the central façade of the building.
The reduction in value attributable to the retention of the
facade at the Junior school will depend upon a number of issues.
1 the structural costs of
retaining the facade
2 the effect on density of keeping the facade -
with a facade to be kept the number of units is likely to be reduced
3 the effect
on the size of units - keeping the facade could result in non standard room
sizes and market acceptance
4 the tenure mix allowed by
the LPA
Detailed analysis has not been carried out and as such it is not
possible to provide a figure for the loss of value.
11. How much of Downing Rd. Field is proposed to be retained as POS; from the map it appears to be between one quarter and one third.
At this stage a set quantity has not been
agreed and this will form part of the planning process, however, it is unlikely
to be more than 0.2 hectares.
12. What type of POS did the Open Space Review indicate that the area North of School Rd was most in need of? My perception is that this area is too low on local play facilities. Is this what the relevant professionals indicate?
It is my understanding that the area you mention, along with much of
West Reading would benefit from the provision of additional play areas,
however, it would be our intention to replace the Big Swings play area
elsewhere onto Blagrave Recreation Ground.
The design and purpose of open space including suitability for play on
either the Junior School or Downing Road sites would form part of a planning
consultation.
13. Have any additional facilities for community use been included in the design – e.g. a meeting room for councillors’ surgeries etc, community cupboard/storage space.
At this stage there are no separately
identified spaces for community use, but the aim of the building is to provide
flexible spaces that can be used by the community and the school/health
clinic/nursery/library.
.