FAQs - St Paul`s Girls` School

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Proposals for the site
Why are you developing these proposals?
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St Paul’s was founded over 100 years ago, and since then the school has steadily grown.
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The built environment is central to our identity, and we aim to bring greater coherence to the site in line
with the architect’s original design principles.
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Growing up in a metropolitan city brings with it particular pressures and, through landscaping and the
creation of informal spaces for learning, relaxation and contemplation, we hope to create literal and
metaphorical breathing space.
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Some facilities, in particular the Senior School (sixth form) provision and areas for recreation and leisure,
need to be enhanced to provide the best possible environment for a first class education now and in the
future.
What are the plans for the school?
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The building plan consists of a series of interdependent projects: a combination of new elements and
sensitive alterations to the existing listed buildings. These proposals include:
i. A new building that provides additional academic accommodation and a state-of-the-art Senior
School centre on the southern part of the main school site
ii. The restoration of previously lost heritage spaces in the original 1904 building
iii. The creation of social and study break-out spaces for girls of all year groups
iv. Landscape proposals that create vibrant social, contemplative and recreational spaces
v. The reconfiguration and resurfacing of sports courts on the playing field site, in order to
maintain the number of netball courts alongside a new-build sport pavilion
Are you planning to increase student numbers?
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The focus of the proposals is to create more space and a better environment for the current number of
pupils, and there are no plans for an increase in numbers.
Are any of the buildings listed?
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The main building, Holst music wing and the High Mistress’s house are all listed. In addition, the other
buildings are deemed to be in the curtilage of these and are therefore also considered under the listing.
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All of our plans are sensitive to this listing and the Brook Green Conservation Area.
What are the timescales for redevelopment?
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We aim to start construction on site in autumn 2015, subject to planning.
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We expect the new building work to take around 18 months to complete.

The overall building plan, which includes the interventions within the existing body of the school, and our
plans for the pavilion and playing field site will be phased to minimise any disruption to pupils, the
curriculum, staff and neighbours.

We will be developing a construction management plan to ensure the approach is well considered and
sensitive to local residents and to the smooth running of the school.
Will these plans affect drop off/pick up?
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The school has a Travel Plan agreed with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The majority
of our pupils travel to school by public transport or the school buses (between 70-75% travel to school in
this way).
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Approximately 10% of girls travel to school by car and we have no reason to think that these plans would
change this.
How will the works impact on the life of the school?
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The works will be planned in order to minimise disruption, and the provision of a new building will
ensure that there is no interruption to the delivery of the curriculum and avoid the need for substantial
temporary accommodation.

The rearrangement of the main sports site will ensure no long-term loss of netball provision.
I live on Rowan Road and would look straight across to the new building – what will I see?
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Along the boundary with Rowan Road, the new building will be one storey only in order to minimise any
impact on neighbouring properties. A two storey element will be well set back from the boundary wall.
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It is too early to comment on specific materials for the new building, but we propose that all of our plans
are in keeping with the current building materials of the school.
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We would not plan on there being any windows on the western, single storey end of the building so your
property will not be overlooked. It is most likely that you will see a brick elevation reflecting the
architectural style of the new building. However, the design of this elevation is still being developed.
How will you manage construction to avoid disruption to neighbours?

The new building and improvements will be achieved in phases to minimise disruption and we will be
developing a construction management plan to ensure that the approach is well considered and sensitive
to local residents.

Construction traffic will be carefully regulated in order to minimise disruption to the neighbourhood and
to the normal running of the school.
Who is on the planning team, and who is the architect?
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St Paul’s has brought together a professional team to develop the plans including planning consultants
Deloitte and architects John McAslan + Partners, an award-winning agency founded in London, which
delivered the King’s Cross Station redevelopment.
Consultation and planning process
What has changed from the information you displayed at the last public consultation?
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Following the positive feedback we got from our first round of consultation we have made the following
changes to our plans. We have:
o Significantly reduced the length of building that is abutting the Rowan Road boundary from 42m to
24.5m – this means that fewer properties along Rowan Road are impacted by the proposals.
o Lowered the floor level of the building so as minimise the impact on neighbouring properties.
o Proposed a grass roof on the one storey building element to improve the aspect from neighbouring
properties.
o Stepped the roof line of the new building along the boundary wall, creating a lower section
approximately 1.5m wide along the length of the boundary wall which allows the building at this
edge to not protrude above the neighbours wall.
o Confirmed that the material palate of the new building will be stone, bronze and timber – all natural,
weathering materials.
o Confirmed that the existing sport pavilion will be demolished and replaced
When is the next opportunity to see how the plans have developed?
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Following the positive response we received to our first public exhibition in December 2014, a second
exhibition and consultation will be held at the school at the following times:
o Friday 6 February: 6.00 pm-7.30 pm
o Saturday 7 February 10.00 am-2.00 pm
When will you submit a planning application?
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We aim to submit a planning application in late spring 2015 following further consultation with local
communities, councillors, and the school community.
How can I register my comments?
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You can email buildingplan@spgs.org
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You can also post your comments to: Building Plan Project Team, c/o the Business Director, St Paul’s Girls’
School, Brook Green, London, W6 7BS. Please register your comments by 28th February 2015.
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