Williams backs Redland School plans
November 23, 2004 6:59 PM
A call has gone out for city planners to give the green light to the new secondary school in Redland. Stephen Williams, the Lib Dems' would be MP for Bristol West, has urged councillors to give planning permission for the school at their meeting on Wednesday 24 November.
Stephen Williams said, "I have supported the case for a new secondary school in Bristol West since 1998 and made it a central feature of my 2001 general election campaign in Bristol West. For several years the Liberal Democrats were the only party calling for a new school but in recent times all three parties have accepted the educational need. We now need to resolve the planning issues with the chosen site in Redland. The site is a difficult one but I am confident that the traffic and access obstacles can be overcome. A new school will give a huge boost to educational attainment in Bristol and I hope building work can commence soon."
The full text of Stephen Williams's statement to the planning committee is reproduced below :
STATEMENT TO PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING, WEDNESDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2004
REDLAND PLAYING FIELDS - PROPOSED SECONDARY SCHOOL
APPLICATION 04/01393/FB/N
I urge all members of the planning committee to support the application before you today.
I have supported the call of parents for a new secondary school in north west Bristol since early 1998. There are many educational, social and financial reasons for the council to promote a new school. However, as a former member of the planning committee I recognise that you must make your decision today purely on planning grounds. The question that must be answered is whether the planning difficulties associated with the site are insurmountable or whether they can be overcome so that the school can be built.
The main difficulties relate to access to the site. The building of a large secondary school anywhere in the city will inevitably lead to an increase in traffic. However, I believe that as the school is to be sited virtually at the centre of its proposed catchment area it is reasonable to assume that many of the new pupils will be able to walk or cycle to school. As the number of primary school pupils is projected to increase in the immediately surrounding areas it is likely that this assumption will hold good for some time. It is vital that the school actively promotes walking and cycling so that vehicular congestion in neighbouring residential roads is minimised.
Traffic management improvements in the area are vital. The junction of Redland Green Road with Woodstock Road and the exit onto Redland Road is already quite dangerous. Improvements to the junction to increase visibility down the hill will protect pedestrians and vehicles. Crossings and traffic signals on Cranbrook Road and Kersteman Road will improve safety in this area for the main pedestrian access to the site from Kersteman Road.
A further issue is the school building. Any such building is bound to make an impact on its surroundings. I believe that an effort has been made to minimise any impact from the Redland Green side by making use of the slope. The building on the slope will inevitably alter the view from Bishopston and St Andrews in the east but will not be an obtrusive feature on the skyline. The recently constructed flats on the adjacent site have already altered the aspect.
Finally, I believe that land use is relevant. If I were still a member of your committee I doubt if I would contemplate giving permission to any other use on this site than a school. Your officers should ensure that the access problems associated with the site are addressed and overcome so that the school and the surrounding residential area can be amicable neighbours.
The question is whether the community will be harmed or enhanced by the construction of a new school on this particular site. I believe that it is quite clear that there will be a huge benefit to the community. I urge you to grant permission for the school to be built.
Stephen Williams
Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West
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