Plans for a new primary school and nursery in Cranbrook have been criticised for failing to be "exciting, imaginative and inspiring", with safety concerns also raised. The proposals have been described as "uninspiring" and "lacking imagination" ahead of a possible decision to approve the scheme, writes local democracy reporter Bradley Gerrard.
Planners will next week debate the merits of the proposed three-form entry primary school planned for land at Cobdens, on the edge of Cranbrook. The scheme is being recommended for approval by officers. The plans, which have already been given outline approval as part of a large 1,400-home development, also include a nursery provision and a community room.
An objection by the Environment Agency over the height of the finished floor level in line with flooding regulations appears to have been overcome, but local politicians have criticised the design. East Devon District Council's planning committee will consider the application next week, on Tuesday, September 1. The plans have been submitted by Devon County Council, which is the education authority.
A computer image of part of the design for the proposed new primary school and nursery in Cranbrook was released, credited to Devon County Council. Cranbrook Town Council recommended refusal back in February, and despite updates to the proposed school building, it has not altered its view.
Councillor Kim Bloxham (Independent, Cranbrook) said: "Whilst I do support the principle of delivering a new school in this location, the opportunity to create an educational facility which is exciting, imaginative and inspiring has, in my view, been missed." She added that the proposed layout "lacks imagination", and raised queries about its functionality, claiming it "fails to properly meet modern educational needs". She also said: "Whilst the learning clusters for primary and nursery are properly separated, the teaching accommodation could be better grouped around shared breakout spaces, with (particularly in the case of nursery children) direct and secure access to outdoor learning zones. The long corridor design in the primary area does not optimise circulation and does not provide for effective staff supervision."
Councillor Sam Hawkins (Independent, Cranbrook) echoed similar concerns, adding fears about how families would access the school safely. He said: "In my view, the overall site layout does not adequately prioritise safe, legible and efficient movement. The relationship between pedestrian routes and vehicular circulation is insufficiently clear, raising concerns around safety, particularly at peak drop-off and pick-up times. The design of the main entrance appears constrained and fails to provide sufficient frontage space to support visitor management, safeguarding and the congregation of parents and pupils. The small forecourt area provided appears inadequate for this purpose and gives the impression that the primary gathering space is intended to be accommodated outside the school boundary, potentially placing reliance on land or management arrangements beyond the applicant’s control."
Fears have also been raised that no land has been safeguarded for any future expansion of the school as the population of Cranbrook and the surrounding area inevitably grows. Councillor Kevin Blakey (Independent, Cranbrook) said: "Provision for future expansion should be safeguarded within the site boundary to accommodate potential increases in school capacity. Whilst the school is to be built in two phases, this does not allow for further increases in capacity as the town and surrounding settlements grow."
Planners to Debate ‘Uninspiring’ Cranbrook School Plans