The Council is struggling to finance the upkeep of its school estate, a portfolio which includes over forty primary schools.  Limited funds have been available since the government Building Schools for the Future programme was terminated in 2010, and in March last year the Council introduced a “Community Schools Programme”, proposing to finance the improvement works by the building of affordable housing on school grounds. The programme starts with Flora Gardens and Avonmore Primary Schools.

Flora Gardens School Site

We are concerned at the direction of this policy: the unquestionable priority of good public education facilities does not justify the loss of public open space.

Public open space is sacred, it is a rare and precious commodity, and the acceptance of a practice which permanently removes the open space to alleviate a temporary financial shortfall is a mistake: it erodes the quality of our urban surroundings to the detriment of the public realm, and removes potential sites for future social facilities such as youth clubs and provision for the elderly, but also removes spare capacity essential to accommodate the likely increase in space requirements arising from the current review of school standards. 

The policy should include a presumption against loss of school grounds unless it can be shown that the quality and ambience of open space will not be lost, and current standard play facilities will be provided. Reference has been made to roof-top playgrounds: whilst a flat roof can provide a fair surface for games and exercise, it is no substitute for natural open space, which offers an important level of discovery for a pupil who might rarely enjoy the trees, plants, grassland and changing seasons of a garden or park environment.

Options – example 2

Options – example 1

Existing concept

In January this year there were introductory public consultation exhibitions at Flora Gardens and Avonmore Schools, which we advertised for members in our diary. The following space use examples were shown at the exhibitions, more detail can be found here

The Society has noted its concerns to the Council.

Part 97 of the National Planning Policy Framework offers relevant guidance.