PLANNING COMMITTEE
12 NOVEMBER 2009
09/00537/CAC
ITEM 06
Ewell Castle School, Church Street, Ewell
Demolition of brick out-building to facilitate the erection of a new three-storey classroom
block and dining hall
Ewell
27 November 2009
Plans Available Here
Notes
RECOMMENDATION (S)
PERMIT subject to the following conditions:(1)
The development for which Conservation Area Consent
is hereby permitted shall be begun before the
expiration of three years from the date of this consent.
Reason: To comply with Section 18(1)(a) of the Planning
(Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as
amended by Section 52 (4) of the Planning and Compulsory
Purchase Act 2005
Informative(s):
This permission is granted on the basis that the development
either meets or does not significantly conflict with the relevant
policies of the Epsom and Ewell District Wide Local Plan 2000,
Local Development Framework Core Strategy 2007 and does
not cause demonstrable harm to interests of acknowledged
importance.The application was considered having taken
account of all material considerations and all representations.
The specific policies of the Local Plan and Local Development
Framework Core Strategy taken into account were BE2 and
CS5
Summary
Conservation Area Consent is sought for the demolition of an existing brick outbuilding on the
site, which is attached to the main school building, the Castle. The demolition would facilitate
the erection of a new three storey building, comprising classrooms and a dining hall, to the rear
of the Castle.
It is considered that it does not make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of
the Conservation Area and its removal would accordingly not harm the character and
appearance of the Conservation Area.
CONSULTATIONS
Public Consultation
The application was advertised by means of letters of notification to 42 neighbouring properties,
and site notices and press advert were also displayed. To date 22.10.2009 no letters of
objection, have been received.
Internal Consultations
Highways: no objection
Conservation Officer: No objection
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PLANNING COMMITTEE
12 NOVEMBER 2009
09/00537/CAC
ITEM 06
FURTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Site Details
The applicant site has an area of approximately 6 hectares and is located on Church Street, at
the eastern edge of Ewell Village, immediately to the west of the Ewell By-Pass. The site is
bounded to the north by Vicarage Lane, beyond which lies a flatted development Holman Court,
and to the south west by the rear gardens of dwellings which front Glyn Close and Portway
Crescent.
The site comprises school buildings, historic woodland, lawns playing fields, tennis courts and a
dried up lake. The main concentration of school buildings is focussed around the Castle, which
currently houses teaching, dining facilities and administrative offices. To the east of the Castle
is the Pledger Building, sports hall and a group of temporary classroom buildings.
Ewell Castle, which is Grade II listed, was built in 1914 as a grand mansion house and became
a school in 1926. The building is in the form of a miniature castle with brick covered in stucco to
resemble stone and fake towers and battlements.
The landscape, to the south of the temporary classrooms, is largely formal lawn, interspersed
with several mature trees, which is enclosed to the north, south and west by a network of
internal footpaths. Immediately to the east is a dried up lake surrounding an island of overgrown
woodland, which is a remnant of Japanese gardens built in the early 20th century.
The site is located within the Ewell Village Conservation Area.
Parallel applications for detailed planning permission (09/00505/FUL) as well as Listed
Building Consent (09/00515/LBD) for the demolition of a brick outbuilding have been
submitted.
Relevant Planning History
91/00421/FUL
95/00174/LBD
Demolition of 2 no. temporary classrooms & erection of 2 storey extension to
existing block to provide 4 no. new classrooms. (Amended plans): GRANTED
Demolition of 2 temporary classrooms and the erection of 2 purpose built
science classrooms: GRANTED
The Proposal
The application seeks permission for the demolition of an existing brick outbuilding on site to
enable the erection of three storey building which would provide 6 classrooms, dining hall,
offices, toilets and ancillary space.
This can only take place following a grant of planning permission, if Conservation Area Consent
is granted.
Refer to submitted drawings for further information
Planning Policy
Epsom and Ewell District Wide Local Plan 2000.
Policy BE2
Conservation Areas
LDF Core Strategy 2007
Policy CS5
Built Environment
South East Plan 2009
Policy CC6
Sustainable Communities and Character of the Environment
Page 2 of 3
PLANNING COMMITTEE
12 NOVEMBER 2009
09/00537/CAC
ITEM 06
PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
Impact on Character and Appearance
The existing brick outbuilding has rendered walls under a flat roof and is of nondescript and
utilitarian appearance. It is considered that it does not make a positive contribution to the
character and appearance of the Conservation Area. Its removal would accordingly not harm
the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.
In view of the above I conclude that the demolition of the existing building would not be in
conflict with Policy BE2 and accordingly the granting of Conservation Area Consent is
supported.
Contact: John Robinson
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