School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) Sidestrand Hall School

Sidestrand Hall School was chosen as part of the Government’s 10-year school rebuilding programme to upgrade school buildings across England that were considered to be in the worst condition. Of more than 22,000 schools and sixth form colleges, Sidestrand Hall School was chosen as one of 61 schools in Phase 3 to be redeveloped. Dobson-Grey served as the planning consultant and public consultation coordinator, with additional responsibility for stakeholder engagement.

Challenges:

  • Heritage: The site contained Sidestrand Hall, a non-designated heritage asset, and lay partly within a Conservation Area. A Grade II listed Church was also located on land immediately adjacent to the site. As part of the wider design team, Dobson Grey played an active role in discussions with Council Conservation and Planning Officers and local stakeholders. This resulted in a sensitively designed scheme that was approved under Officers’ delegated powers.
  • Bio-diversity Net Gain: The site was characterised by extensive tree planting and multiple ecological constraints. Dobson Grey supported the applicants and their ecological consultants in being able to demonstrate required Biodiversity Net Gain and the protection of key ecological habitat within the site.
  • Traffic Management: Dobson-Grey proactively engaged with local stakeholders and specialist highway consultants to alleviate longstanding traffic management concerns.  The approved development included improved on-site parking and committed to restricting construction vehicle movements to off-peak hours, minimising disruption.
  • Coastal Erosion Constraint Area: The site was located within a Coastal Erosion Constraints Area where the need to locate buildings away from eroding cliffs imposed a significant constraint to development.  Dobson Grey were actively involved in lengthy discussions which resulted in a successful planning outcome.

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