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1240/5(6155)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, SPORT AND CULTURE BY SENATOR F. du H. LE GRESLEY
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 29th MARCH 2011
Question
Would the Minister advise what progress has been made with drawing up a planning brief for the construction of a new primary school and nursery on Field 327A in St Martin? Does the Minister have full confidence that the "two phase approach", endorsed by the Minister for Treasury and Resources in his written statement to the States on the 6th December 2010, will result in commencement of site preparation and drainage works before the end of this year? Can the Minister confirm that essential repairs to keep the current school buildings "as comfortable as possible" have been, or will be, carried out before the start of the autumn term?
Answer
Good progress is being made by the Department of the Environment on the planning brief, and it is intended the brief will be completed by Easter. The Environment Department will then formally consult with the relevant authorities, including the Parish of St. Martin, prior to forwarding an agreed version of the document to the Property Holdings Department to assist in the preparation of detailed plans for the proposed new school.
In his statement to the States on 6th December 2010 the Treasury and Resources Minister referred to a proposed two-phased approach to St. Martin 's School which might represent appropriate design works(), preparation and drainage issues being carried out in 2012, followed by the construction in early 2013'. Property Holdings is responsible for all States buildings, including St. Martin 's School, and will therefore be responsible for the planning and building of the new school. The main project phases are summarised below –
- Development and approval of the planning brief;
- Preparation of detailed plans for the school building;
- Submission of planning application;
- Submission of application for approval under the building bye-laws;
- Receive final development permission;
- Site preparation, including access and drainage;
- Commencement of main building works.
As full planning approval is required before construction can go ahead, any preliminary works are unlikely to commence on site until 2012 at the earliest, and not in 2011 as indicated by Senator Le Gresley in his question. Property Holdings will assess the position once detailed design work has been completed, as this will help to determine the nature of any preliminary works that could commence in advance of the main contract works.
In response to Senator Le Gresley's third question, I can advise members that Property Holdings will continue to maintain the school buildings in a reasonable condition during the period leading up to the commencement of building works in 2012/13, although my department accepts that there are limits on the level of investment in a school that is approaching replacement. The priority during this period will be to carry out mandatory and cyclical maintenance works, with any essential repairs being undertaken as necessary.