A TOWN council has objected to proposed works at a school over potential impacts on neighbouring properties. 

The Romsey School, in Greatbridge Road, has applied for planning permission to remove hedgerow, trees and 10 car parking bays to facilitate a bus bay and installation of 15 car parking bays along the northern boundary and planting.

Romsey Town Council's planning committee submitted an objection and heard from a neighbour, Dr Helen Briers, about her concerns.

The town council's objection said: “The loss of hedgerow along the northern boundary of the site will have a negative impact on the amenity of the neighbouring properties and a loss of biodiversity. The introduction of impervious surfaces has the potential to adversely affect the root protection zones of trees in the neighbours’ gardens. The potential overhanging of neighbours’ trees above the parked cars may well lead to requests to severely prune those trees to the detriment of their long-term health. Parking cars immediately adjacent to the neighbouring properties’ fences may well result in damage to those fences.

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“The loss of trees and hedgerow on the eastern boundary will have a negative impact on the bio diversity of the area. The committee is not convinced by the argument that increasing the number of car parking spaces and the provision of a bus bay will result in reduced car traffic.”

Five public objections have been submitted.

Dr Briers, of Priestlands, spoke to the planning committee at its meeting on Thursday June 22. She said: “To date, The Romsey School has not initiated any communication with residents about their proposed plans. There is no indication in the plans that The Romsey School has taken into account concerns expressed to them by some neighbours last autumn. 

“The proposed 15 car park spaces on the boundary with Priestlands neighbours (immediately adjacent to gardens), will create additional noise throughout the week. The school is also well used at weekends, although this has not been acknowledged in the ‘Hours of Opening’ in the planning application.”

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On the application's planning statement, it said: “The scheme also includes the removal of existing hedgerow and trees to the east of the site, to make allowance for the installation of a wider footpath. The school are to implement a site wide replanting scheme with planting of 50 new sapling trees, 20 established new trees as well as an expansive 420 sapling hedgerow. With this, the offer of soft landscaping within the wider context of the school, will create a greener and more biodiverse environment. 

“The scheme proposes the relocation of 10 car parking spaces from the east side of the site, up to the northern boundary. An additional five spaces are also proposed equalling a total of 15 spaces at this new location. The retained existing tarmacked area to the east, is proposed for the use of a parking bay for one bus. Some minor alterations are required to kerb edging to allow a suitable turning radius and clear access in and out of the site.”

To view more details about the application online, search 23/00805/FULLS on Test Valley Borough Council's planning portal.