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Committee Date: 06/02/2014 Application Number: 2013/08783/PA

Accepted: 27/11/2013 Application Type: Listed Building

Target Date: 22/01/2014

Ward: Sparkbrook

Anderton Park Junior & Infant School, Dennis Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 8BL

Listed building consent for installation of internal handrails to the main staircase Applicant: Birmingham City Council

Development and Culture, Education and Skills Infrastructure, 1 Lancaster Circus, Queensway, Birmingham, B2 2RT

Agent: Acivico 1 Lancaster Circus, Queensway, Birmingham, B4 7DG

Recommendation Refer To The Dclg 1. Background 1.1 The upper floor offices/ storage areas have recently been refurbished as part of listed

building consent 2012/02903/PA to provide three additional classrooms for up to 90 pupils. The proposed handrails are required in response to recommendations set out by the Health and Safety Officer in order to comply with the relevant statutory provisions and ensure safe movement for staff and pupils from/to the ground floor and upper floors of this listed school building.

2. Proposal 2.1. Listed building consent is sought for the installation of handrails to the main internal

staircase of this Grade II listed school building. The handrails would be installed to one side of the staircase to allow support in climbing the three sections of steps from the ground floor to the upper floor classrooms. They would not be installed on landing areas and would be constructed of satin tubular stainless steel. The satin stainless wall patress plates would be attached to the wall above the wainscot wall panelling.

Location Plan Proposed Floor, Elevation and Sections Proposed sections and photograph

3. Site & Surroundings 3.1. The Victorian school building dates back to 1896 with steeply pitched tiled roofs and

brick and terracotta decoration. The building is surrounded by hardstanding play

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areas and enclosed by cast iron railings along the east and north sides of the building. The closed section of Dennis Road used as a car park is enclosed by modern security fencing.

3.2. The school is on a constrained site that is predominantly surrounded by terraced

residential properties with on street parking. To the opposite side of Dennis Road are a group of non-descript buildings relating to the school’s Children’s Centre, Sports Hall and Nursery as well as the separate Territorial Army complex. To the north is Balsall Heath Park and along Dennis Road is a mosque as well as a number of commercial premises.

Location Plan Street View

4. Planning History 4.1. 28/11/2011– 2011/03292/PA - Extension and alterations to increase the capacity of

the School from 3 to 4 Form entry, increasing pupil numbers by 210, reconfigured car park, removal of existing temporary classrooms and area reinstated for hard play area – Approved Subject to Conditions – Consent not implemented

4.2. 14/11/2011 - 2011/03294/PA - Listed building consent for extension and alterations

to increase the capacity of the school – Approved subject to conditions – Consent not implemented

4.3. 13/07/2012 - 2012/02903/PA - Internal alterations to listed building – Approved

subject to conditions – Consent implemented 5. Consultation/PP Responses 5.1. Advertised by press and site notice. Adjoining residents, Residents Associations and

Ward Councillors notified – no responses received. 6. Policy Context 6.1. NPPF (2012), Adopted UDP (2005), Draft Birmingham Development Plan – Pre-

submission consultation (2014), SPG Regeneration through Conservation (1999) 7. Planning Considerations 7.1. The main considerations in the determination of this application are: 7.2. Planning Policy - Paragraph 132 of the National Planning Policy Framework

(NPPF) states that “When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation”. It goes on further to state ”Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting…any harm or loss should require clear and convincing justification”.

7.3. Paragraph 3.25 of the Birmingham UDP states that any development affecting a

listed building should preserve or enhance its character, and that any external or internal alteration or addition to a listed building should not adversely affect its architectural or historic character.

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7.4. The UDP policy and NPPF recognises that the best way of preserving heritage assets is to secure the long term use of such buildings. The conservation of the buildings has been central to the design approach and the site has been subject to substantial pre-application discussions, previous approved consents and negotiations with the Council’s Conservation Officer prior to submission of this application.

7.5. Impact on the historic character of the building – The proposed wall plates and

handrails have been designed to be attached to the internal wall above the original wainscot wall panelling. The works are relatively minor and I am satisfied that the design of the handrails proposed would not detract from this important feature of the listed building. Amended plans have been provided with the method of attachment to the internal wall of the building being acceptable and minimal intrusion would incur to the internal fabric of this listed building. My Conservation Officer has raised no objections to the proposal. Consequently, I consider that the proposed development would provide a safe access to the upper floors for pupil and staff and ensure a sustainable future of the building in a manner appropriate to its historical context.

8. Conclusion 8.1. The proposed development is of a minor scale and would have minimal impact on

the character or appearance of the listed building. The proposed development would also provide safe access to much needed classrooms and secure the long-term use of the upper floors of the listed buildings. As the applicant is Birmingham City Council the resolution must be referred to the DCLG for determination.

9. Recommendation 9.1. Refer to the DCLG with a recommendation to approve subject to the following

conditions: 1 Requires the scheme to be in accordance with the listed approved plans

2 Requires the prior submission of fixtures and fittings Details

3 Limits the approval to 3 years (conservation/listed buildings consent) Case Officer: Mohammed Akram

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Photo(s)

Figure 1: Internal view of staircase

Figure 2: View from Dennis Road

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Location Plan

This map is reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Birmingham City Council. Licence No.100021326, 2010

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