Project Summary

• Delivered a high quality and sustainable sports hall to a highly rated school
• Compliant to numerous standards including Sports England and BREEAM
• Located in a Conservation Area with a site designation relating to Openness
• Several differing locations were considered
• Decided that the community benefit outweigh the limits as defined by policy

Development Description

The proposal was to create an interesting and attractive sports hall with a non-symmetrical curved roof, a range of materials breaking up any dulling homogeneity and a viewing balcony. It aimed to address the growing needs of the school’s population as well as the increasing demand of more modern facilities in order to maintain the high standards of the school. Also, it aimed to be Sports England compliant. Alongside the main hall, the proposal aimed to deliver associated landscaping and parking changes.

Planning Process

It was successfully shown that any perceived loss in openness was offset by the quality of the scheme and its resultant improvements. CSJ ensured the scheme was considered in light of all the associated and relating factors rather than in inappropriate isolation. This was successfully attained by a thorough consideration of the merits and negatives of a range of sites to clarify the validity of the proposed location; this consideration was an inclusive process involving discussions on functionality, policy and location.