Warning Over Recreation Ground Access In Nine Acres School Plans

The planned demolition of an Isle of Wight school has prompted a warning over a ‘highly controversial’ possible blocking off of a recreation ground access.

Willmott Dixon Construction has lodged a proposal to knock down existing buildings at Nine Acres Community Primary in Newport and build a new two storey structure, on behalf of the government’s Department for Education (DfE).

The applicant’s agent, Vail Williams, previously said that while ‘temporary arrangements’ are required during the construction phase, these are necessary for the continued operation of the school and will not lead to any permanent loss of open space or community facilities.

County Hall’s Public Rights of Way team has said it is aware that access to Nine Acres Recreation Ground via Nelson Road has been exercised by the public for ‘many decades’.

Its representation said: “The application does not appear to retain this access, which is widely used by the public and is the only western access point to the Recreation Ground.

“The service strongly recommends that the local planning authority does not grant approval to the development unless this access point is not only retained but it is improved for public use, enabling convenient and safe access to/from the Recreation Ground on foot, by bicycle and mobility scooter/wheelchair.

“It is suggested that any blocking off of this access would be highly controversial and would probably amount to an obstruction of an established highway.”

Vail Williams’s Planning Statement said the proposals will ‘retain and enhance’ access arrangements to the site, including pedestrian access points from South View and Nine Acres Lane.

“The proposed redevelopment of Nine Acres Primary School will deliver a high-quality, modern and sustainable educational facility that secures the long-term future of this important community asset,” it said.

“The proposal has been informed by extensive technical assessments, stakeholder consultation and pre-application engagement with the local planning authority.

“The submitted evidence demonstrates that the development can be delivered without giving rise to unacceptable impacts in respect of design, transport, residential amenity, flood risk, drainage, ecology, biodiversity, arboriculture, heritage or archaeology.”

County Hall’s public consultation on proposal 26/01066/FUL runs until September 14 and a decision is scheduled for November 10.