Broxbourne School Redevelopment FAQs
1.
Why is there a need to redevelop Broxbourne School?
Although the school has maintained its current buildings to a high standard over the years,
it is clear that, as they continue to age, the cost to maintain and repair them will continue
to rise which will become unaffordable.
The school also suffers from poor infrastructure, including a lack of drop-off facilities which
can be disruptive for our residential neighbours.
The buildings date back to the 1960s and are no longer suitable for the number of students
at the school or for the curriculum that we wish to offer to enable students to maximise
their potential. We want to provide state of the art educational facilities that sit at the
heart of the Borough, meeting the needs of both students and the local community.
2.
Will the redeveloped school accommodate more students? Why?
There are currently 1,251 students at the school.
The local population is projected to increase over the next few years, which in turn will
mean we need additional school places.
In addition, the ongoing success of The Broxbourne School has led to it being consistently
oversubscribed, with nearly 5 applicants for every place. The school is currently what is
known as a 7 form of entry (FE) school and it is proposed that the new development would
allow for a modest increase in capacity to an 8FE school - this means one extra class per
year group amounting to an additional c.230 students across the school and sixth form.
An 8FE school creates greater opportunities for flexibility around the curriculum and time
tabling, enabling student groupings and activities to be tailored to individual needs.
The redevelopment will also ensure there is sufficient car parking and dropping off
arrangements to reflect this increase in numbers.
3.
Will the residential development make it harder for local residents to secure a place at the School?
The residential development actually enables the school to grow, and offer more places the increase in school places will be greater than the additional number of extra secondary
school students that are likely to live on the new residential development. As a result the
area that the school draws students from is likely to increase, offering places to both very
local children and those who live further away.
4.
Why are new homes being proposed as well as new school buildings?
Although the current buildings are at the end of their lifespan, redevelopment is not a
priority for the Government and there is no central Government funding available. This
avenue has been explored over recent years without success.
Historically, two schools were located on the site, which were combined to form one
school. As a result, the school has benefitted from an extensive amount of open playing
field space. The school has achieved a flourishing sports programme - particularly in rugby
and netball - despite rarely using the extensive rugby pitches located beyond the school's
primary playing fields, having limited external hard-standing sports areas and very small
indoor sports facilities that are not fit for purpose.
Sale of part of the site for residential development will fund the new, enlarged school
which will be equipped with purpose-built, modern facilities including enhancements for
community use of sports and performing arts.
Broxbourne Borough Council is currently preparing plans and strategies for how the Borough
will grow and develop in the future. The most recently approved draft framework
document proposes land be allocated at Broxbourne School for new homes. The new
housing will not only fund the new school but will help to meet a local requirement in the
right area, thus easing the pressure to meet the housing needs on the Borough’s open
countryside.
We feel this is a good location for homes. It is next to an existing residential area, with
good access to services and facilities and with the new school, has the potential to create a
new civic centre for Broxbourne.
5.
Will the new homes overlook the existing homes/the new school?
The layout and design of the new homes will be required to conform to planning guidance
produced by Broxbourne Borough Council (who are the Local Planning Authority and as such
will determine whether the planning application is acceptable). This includes privacy
guidelines that require a minimum distance of 25 metres between the windows of habitable
rooms of new and existing homes, and / or the use of screening to prevent overlooking.
6.
Why is the school asking for views on the proposed development?
When a planning application is submitted to Broxbourne Borough Council (the Local
Planning Authority) the Council is required to consult immediate neighbours on proposals,
and to give them 21 days to comment.
However, we feel the school is an important part of the local community and there should
be greater community involvement in proposals for its redevelopment. As such, the school
carrying out its own consultation before submitting a planning application to the Council,
starting with consultation at this early stage before plans have been finalised, to ensure
meaningful public participation in the process.
7.
What is the Leisure Hub?
A vital component of the new school will be a ‘Leisure Hub’. The 'Leisure Hub' is a
community sports centre comprised of the new school's facilities which have been enlarged
and enhanced so that they meet the needs of both the school and community users.
The Leisure Hub will consist of a brand new four court sports hall, built to the enhanced
Sport England standard; an activity studio; two new floodlit Multi-Use Games Areas
(MUGAs), which could be used primarily for netball and tennis; and synthetic turf
football/rugby pitch. It is anticipated that the synthetic turf pitch would be floodlit. The
floodlit pitches will be located a suitable distance away from the school’s existing
residential neighbours to minimise any potential impact upon them from their use. (We are
also asking for views as part of this consultation as to whether local people agree that
hours of use for the Leisure Hub should also be restricted, in the interests of our
neighbours). The remaining area would operate as grassed pitches.
We are aware of the high demand in the local area for high quality sports facilities.
Broxbourne School enjoys a good relationship with a wide number of local sports clubs
including: Turnford Netball club as well as junior football clubs (Wormley Youth and
Hoddesdon Town) and Cheshunt Rugby Club. Indeed many of the school's students are
members of these clubs and we plan to help address this need via the Leisure Hub.
Subject to the usual planning process, Broxbourne Borough Council agreed to transfer the
ownership, via a lease, of three additional grassed pitches to Broxbourne School that are
located just beyond the school's current rugby pitches. During school hours, the leisure
facilities will be used solely by the school, but will be available for community use at
agreed out of school hours. We are working closely with Wormley Sports Club and
Broxbourne Borough Council to ensure that this is managed appropriately.
8.
How many homes will be built on the residential part of the site?
The minimum number of homes required to fund the new school is approximately 150
dwellings. We are currently suggesting our proposals deliver this number of new homes.
However, as part of the public consultation we are asking whether people think the site
should accommodate more homes to help meet the area’s housing need.
9.
What are the prospective timings of the various phases of the development?
A Planning Application is scheduled to be submitted in early 2016. It will then be a matter
for Broxbourne Borough Council as to if, and when, it is approved. If approved, it is
anticipated that construction of the school and homes could start in early 2017. The new
school buildings could then be completed by early 2019. The new homes should be
completed by 2020.
10. How will construction traffic enter/exit the site?
It is of vital importance to the school that construction traffic is managed and routed
appropriately to ensure that it is kept away from students to avoid health and safety risks
and that the school is protected from unnecessary disruption.
The final process will be dependent on the final layout decided upon for submission to the
Council as part of the planning application. A construction management plan will be
submitted as part of the planning application for the Council’s consideration, which will
explain how construction traffic is proposed to be managed.
11. What about the impact of the school and new homes on local roads?
We appreciate this is a concern for many residents and we have appointed specialist
transport consultants to look into this issue in detail.
The potential impact on local roads is currently being assessed, and a detailed transport
assessment that includes the results of this, and any suggested improvements required to
be made to the local network, will be submitted with the planning application.
The development of the new school represents an opportunity to move the school further
from the High Road and behind the proposed residential development. This means that a
better road layout can be designed that will cope with the traffic. By pulling traffic away
from the High Road and Bell Lane and making provisions for it within the new development,
the impact of traffic related to school on the local area can be better managed.
In addition, the redeveloped school will incorporate an official drop-off into the new
enlarged car parking facilities to take the pressure away from the neighbouring residential
streets.
It is envisioned that the Leisure Hub will be accessed out of school hours and through the
High Road access.
As the Highways Authority, Hertfordshire County Council will be consulted on proposals
within the planning application.
12. What type of new homes will be built?
We are currently suggesting 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes with a small number of two
bedroom flats which reflect the existing character of the area. However, we are asking
for views on this as part of the proposals.
13. Will any of the new homes be provided as social / shared-ownership housing?
We are currently suggesting that no social / shared-ownership housing should be provided
with this development. The provision of such housing entails a cost which would reduce
the funding available for the new school. However, we are asking for views on this
approach as part of the public consultation.
14. Who will develop the site if it is granted planning permission?
No developer has been selected yet, although negotiations have begun with four major
developers. The planning application is being undertaken by the school, with a view to a
private developer ultimately building the new homes and school if planning permission is
granted.
15. When is the next Public Exhibition?
There will be another Public Exhibition in early 2016. It is anticipated that more detailed
plans will be available by this time reflecting the feedback from the first Public Exhibition
and further detailed assessment work being undertaken. There will be opportunity to
comment on more detailed suggestions at this stage.
16. Are plans currently available?
Yes. Detailed plans have yet to be produced – these will be dependent on the feedback
from the first public consultation, and the results of technical assessment work. Once
drafts have been produced, they will be made available online on the school's website.
You can access the plans shown at the last public consultation from the school’s Latest
News page on the website.