Policy CLT3 - Secondary Education
Summary: The Respondent finds the document to be unsound in its present form, however were the amendments set out in these representations to be incorporated then it is considered that the document will be sound. No objection is raised to the principle of extending the size of the King Edmund School grounds, subject to the provision of robust evidence as to the need and scale of the extension.
Full Text: The respondent owns the majority of the available land surrounding the school and is thus in the best position to facilitate the expansion. However, it is not clear how the land will be acquired, or whether it will form part of a much wider, mixed use allocation in the Allocations DPD. The CS refers to the Essex Schools Organisation Plan, which identifies a need to increase secondary school places in line with housing growth. It is accepted that housing growth and school places are inextricably linked and that the King Edmund School is at capacity and will require extension in the future. What is not clear from the evidence base is where the identified need for 3 hectares has come from. Reference is made to the Essex Schools Organisation Plan; however, this document does not look beyond 2013 and does not consider the residential allocations presently proposed in this CS.
The respondent has substantial interests in the land identified in the broad locations set out in H2 and H3. It is considered that the school expansion should be part and parcel of the development that comes through in the Ashingdon allocations. An indicative masterplan is attached to these representations, which illustrates a growth option combining urban extensions with the enhancement of King Edmund School.
Amendment to Policy CLT3:
Reference to the need for 3 hectares should only be included if this area can be properly demonstrated.

Masterplan/Facilities plan Council ref AE22