Erection of teaching block, King James’s School, Almondbury
Planning application 2020/92657
Erection of teaching block, King James’s School, Almondbury
The society echoes the major concerns articulated in the objections embodied in neighbourhood representations concerning the critical issues resulting from the increased numbers of pupils in relation to the traffic issues, pollution, pedestrian safety and community disruption caused by this proposal.
Documents prepared by the agents around sustainability and travel are inadequate. For example, virtually all the approach roads are narrow and busy so there is significant risk to cyclists. The presentation of the school bus access and departure is accurate but under states the issues.
The access to the drop off involves 2 very sharp 90 degree bends in close succession at a busy junction where the buses block traffic in both directions. When leaving the site they have to negotiate a blind 90 degree bend over a bridge at the bottom of Farnley line.
Such issues, in themselves, prompt the question as to whether King James is the right/or an acceptable location for the newly created ‘combined’ school?
Beyond such issues, the proposed teaching block itself is disappointingly pedestrian in design and related matters. Although the school is based in a set of buildings which are a mix of modern and traditional it is an historic site containing listed structures. In addition, given the location of the building it is considered that more thought should be given to raise this design above the mundane and use materials complementary to the environment of, not only the school, but Almondbury Conservation Area and the outstanding surrounding countryside.
Huddersfield Civic Society presented Greenhead College with the award of overall winner in its annual Design Awards in 2018 recognising the high standards of design and sustainability incorporated into a new teaching block. As applicants for the King James proposal, Kirklees Council should endeavour to achieve similar high standards in relation to elevational details, materials and carbon reduction measures. This current application fails on all counts.