Planning Delivery for Temporary School Facilities

A national government department sought to establish a new-build, modern secondary educational facility under its Free Schools Programme. The project was planned across four phases and required a temporary modular building to house school facilities during the construction of the permanent campus, helping to address acute local pupil placement pressures.

Arthian was appointed to provide planning support, including preparation of a Planning, Design & Access Statement (PDAS).

Although prior approval existed to convert an on-site office building into a secondary school, it became clear that the building was not fit for educational use without extensive and costly refurbishment. A new purpose-built school was the most viable and efficient solution.

The key challenge was to secure consent for a two-storey modular temporary building on land designated primarily for industrial use, with a redundant structure already present. The temporary facility needed to accommodate the first intake of approximately 210 pupils, while ensuring it would not compromise future delivery of the permanent school. Arthian was commissioned to prepare the PDAS to support the planning application with a detailed assessment against planning policy and design standards.

Arthian prepared a comprehensive PDAS incorporating all relevant technical studies and assessments. The statement:

• Presented a clear overarching vision and phased development strategy
• Justified the need for a temporary modular school to address the local shortfall in pupil places
• Drew on national planning policy support for the efficient reuse of under-utilised brownfield land for essential community facilities
• Demonstrated full compliance with planning, access and design requirements

With a robust and well-reasoned planning case, the application was positively received and approved unanimously by the local planning committee, securing consent and enabling delivery of the long-term educational vision for the area.