Kingsford Developments Ltd have applied to create two new gates in the existing stone boundary wall and cast-iron railings of the former school at 154 McDonald Road (Ref. 15/03993/LBC).
One is on the McDonald Road side itself (see below-right). The other (pictured here) is adjacent to Broughton Primary School’s top playground facing Broughton Road. It would entail the removal of a tree.
No reasons currently appear online for the proposed changes.
In the case of the Broughton Road opening, it cannot be intended to provide access to a new electricity substation and summerhouse since the application for those has now been withdrawn.
Kingsford's application form mentions an accompanying Feasibility Study, and this may be where the need for two new gates is explained. However, that Study has been omitted from the relevant section of the Council's Planning Portal, so we're none the wiser.
CEC has been informed of the missing paperwork, but has not yet clarified when it will be made available. It seems likely that the original 2 October deadline for responses by members of the public will be pushed back accordingly.
For now, we can only proceed on the basis of what is before us. In the absence of any explanation for these plans, locals may prefer to retain unchopped the attractive line of trees on Broughton Road, and to keep the Category B-listed exterior boundary unchanged.
For or against the plan, you may comment on it by e-mail to the Planning Department, citing the address and reference number shown above.
