A LOCAL primary school has been granted planning permission to construct a single-storey extension in order to create a nursery facility.

The application to Herefordshire planners states that St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School, located in Walford Road, currently has 35 children in its nursery and a need was identified over the past two years that the children should be split into age-appropriate groups, which until now, had proved difficult due to the lack of space.

The school stated that the times the nursery pupils attended classes were different to that of the main primary school, so wouldn’t increase traffic at peak times.

The proposal states that the single-storey extension to be built at the rear of the hall building, is modest in its scale and design, providing additional facilities for a primary school.

Herefordshire Council’s planning officer Eleanor Barry observed that the choice of materials proposed were within keeping with this relatively modern build and overall surrounding residential area.

She added: “The proposed single storey building does not detract from the character and appearance of the main building, nor have significant harm towards the Wye Valley National Landscape.

“The proposal further ensures the continual and future use of the site.”

The proposed windows and doors to be powder coated aluminium deep red to match the existing building.

Ross-on-Wye Town Council members had no objection to this application however, three objectors pointed out that there was likely to be an increase in vehicles accessing and parking on the site and other concerns over screening the extension from nearby residential properties.

Welsh Water stated that no surface water from the increase roof area of the building should be allowed to drain directly or indirectly to the public sewerage system.

Ms Barry said that according to documentation, the creation of high quality and sustainable buildings is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve.

“Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities,” she added. “This should ensure that developments will function well and add to the overall quality of the area, not just for the short term but over the lifetime of the development.”

The report states that there are no concerns regarding any impacts on existing residential amenities based largely on the existing nursery provision not being changed.

Ms Barry said in conclusion: “Having taken into account the objections received over an increase in vehicles accessing the site and the potential impact upon the local highway, along with further concerns over landscaping and screening the site as the submitted plans do not show any removal of existing trees or vegetation.

“It is not considered, given the surrounding area of the application site, that the proposal would have minimal impact upon the Conservation Area.

“The school has clarified that the proposal would not see an increase in children attending the nursery.

“Overall, the proposal complies with local and national planning policies and therefore the proposal is recommended for approval subject to conditions.”