Appendix 6 Proposed Installation of Tarmac Exercise Path Around the School Field at Gotham Primary School Combined Design & Access Statement Supporting Statement: Gotham Primary School, Kegworth Road, Gotham, Nottingham, NG11 0JS, propose to install a 230m long x 1m wide exercise path around the perimeter of the school field as part of a national incentive to get school children walking / running a mile each week. The proposed exercise path has been requested by Mrs Sue Lymn‐Brewin, the Head teacher at Gotham Primary School, as she would like to address the national issue of child fitness and obesity. It was originally suggested to install some markings around the school paths and playgrounds to denote the exercise path, however this caused a compromise in Child Safeguarding as gates would need to be left open and a number of staff would be required to supervise the children. It was therefore proposed to install the path around the perimeter of the school field to reduce any safe guarding risks and the children can easily be supervised as they are only in one area. Marking an exercise path on to the grass was considered, but this would mean that the path would be inaccessible for a large part of the year due to the field being wet, thus it was decided to install a hard standing pathway so the children can exercise all year round. The proposed development site doesn’t fall within any biological or geological conservation areas. No trees on site have any tree preservation orders and nor will any be removed as part of this project. The proposed exercise path will be installed around the perimeter of the school field. There are a few small trees located around the fence‐line perimeter, with approx. 2 – 3m radius crown projection. The proposed exercise path will be installed at a suitable distance away from the trees to avoid any root compaction. It is proposed to locate the exercise path in the chosen area – see appendix 4 – site development plan – as the path will not interfere with the grass football pitch, although this is only marked out a couple of times per year and usually just has the set of goals left up for the children to use. This area of the field isn’t used for any sports lessons. Due to the size of the field it isn’t feasible to rotate the football pitch, thus the proposed exercise path will not have any implications on the orientation or location of the grass football pitch. This area also lends well for the exercise path as it allows a path of 230m to be installed which thus means the children run a set number of times (7X) around the path to complete a mile. Access Statement: It is proposed to undertake the completion of the development works over the summer holidays 2016 so as to keep any disruptions to the school to a minimum and to reduce any risks associated with the project, however if planning is not granted in time these works will extend in to the Autumn School term. If works do continue into the autumn school term then the school field will be fenced off to allow work to progress whilst safe guarding the children. Access to the school field / work area will be obtained via the small lay‐by, off Kegworth Road, located to the North of the site. There are no entrance gates to the school field, so access will be obtained by removing a single post and two weldmesh panels from the perimeter fence. The site will be kept secure by installing 2 – 3 Herris fence panels over the gap and securing to the existing perimeter fence. Vehicles will then travel a short distance over the school field to the work area, following designated traffic routes ‐ See appendix 3 – Site Access Plan. If the works are completed during the school summer holidays, then to complete the Southern section of the path access will be gained through the school car‐park and playground, accessing on to the field through a gap between the boundary fence and pond area. If works are to be completed during term time then this point of access will not be feasible due to the disruption caused to the school, thus all access will be gained via the lay‐
by off Kegworth Road as already stated. It is proposed to have materials delivered and tipped into the small lay‐by area, so that they are kept off the road and don’t cause any interference with traffic. Materials will then be transported across the site by use of mini‐dumpers, once again following designated routes. All materials will be transported into site on the day of delivery so the lay‐by is not put out of use. All works will be completed by competent, fully accredited NCC approved contractors. Design Statement: It is proposed to install a 230m x 1m wide tarmac exercise path around the perimeter of the school field – see appendix 4 & 5 – Site Development Plan & Aerial Photo. It is proposed to install the proposed exercise path as close to the site boundary as possible, whilst keeping an appropriate distance away from any trees so as not to cause any root compaction. As the majority of trees within the school boundary are relatively small the path will be an average of 3m away from each tree, so as not to impede on root protection zones. Root protection zones will be cordoned off by use of barrier tape to prevent any movement of vehicles within these zones. The exercise path will also be kept a minimum of 3m away from the school football pitch to create a safe player run off curtain, except for in the North East corner of the pitch, adjacent to the MUGA, where there will only be an approx. 1m curtain for player run‐off. As stated earlier though, the football pitch is only marked out a couple of times per year and isn’t used for full matches, but rather more for the children to have a kick about at break times. No competitive matches are played on this pitch. The exercise path will be constructed by measuring and marking the path in paint to ensure the correct distance and shape is formed. The area will then be excavated by 55mm by use of a mini digger, with soil being transported by mini dumper and retained in a stock pile on the school field. Pre‐cast concrete edging will be installed around the perimeter of the path and set in to concrete, so that 55mm is below ground level and 50mm stands proud of the surrounding surface. The pathway will then be lined with a geo‐textile membrane to supress weed growth. A stone sub‐base will then be constructed from MOT Type 1 stone, compacted to a finished thickness of 75mm. The stone base will then be topped with a layer of porous, 6mm – 10mm aggregate surface course tarmac, compacted to 30mm thickness. The retained soil will then be used to grade around the edges of the newly installed pathway and sown with grass seed, to form a gentle gradient and thus removing any trip hazards and ease for grounds maintenance. Once the pathway has been completed some additional top soil will be imported to finish grading around the edges if required. It is proposed to install the exercise path to stand proud of the surrounding surface to prevent any standing water on the path and to allow excavated material to be used on site and thus remove any added disposal costs. On completion of the exercise path the perimeter weldmesh fencing will be reinstated to make the site fully secure.