ChurcherÕs College has lost its battle to extend its Moreton House Junior School site in Petersfield.

The long-awaited decision on plans to build new classrooms at the school in The Spain was taken this week.

In a packed council chamber, members of East Hampshire District CouncilÕs south planning committee refused

planning permission after a clear warning from the Environment Agency.

And ironically some councillors said they believed ChurcherÕs should have been granted permission for a new school on the Penns Place site Ð ChurcherÕs first choice application which was refused four years ago.

David Robins, bursar at the college, told The Herald: ÒFollowing detailed discussions with EHDC planning officers over the last nine months, the governors of ChurcherÕs College are naturally disappointed with the refusal of its planning application

to improve Junior School

facilities at Moreton House in The Spain.Ó

He added: ÒIt is felt that the impact of the proposed scheme to improve the flood risk position of the site was not addressed and some key questions raised at the planning committee meeting were not fully answered. However, the governors remain committed to the improvement of Junior School facilities and are

currently considering the

way forward.Ó

Local residents had opposed the plans because of the flood risk, the design of the new buildings and the traffic

implications.

The site lies within a flood plain and the Environment AgencyÕs report stated: ÒThe site is in or abuts an area subject to river flooding. The agency is not satisfied that the issue of flood risk to the application site has been sufficiently considered to permit planning approval.Ó

It went on to state: ÒYou should note that no development including fencing and land raising should take place within the identified floodplain as this would increase flood risk elsewhere.Ó

Roger Burton, EHDCÕs works manager for environment and sustainability told members that he strongly supported the Environment AgencyÕs view.

ÒI feel this [application] goes against Government policy, EHDC policy and planning policy.Ó

He added: ÒWe think this will have a knock-on effect to adjacent property in the long term.Ó

Councillor Mrs Teresa Jamieson said: ÒFor the Environment Agency to come out so strongly to refuse is very unusual. This time they have come out very clearly Ð Ôdo not do thisÕ. Please can we take their advice this time and go for refusal.Ó

But not all councillors were convinced by the Environment AgencyÕs report.

Councillor John Venning said; ÒIf Tesco does not flood, then why would the school flood?Ó

He added: ÒIn what way would this development make the situation worse than it is? The Environment Agency have not explained a fundamental point.Ó

Mr Burton stated that

Tesco had been granted planning permission before new Government guidelines were introduced.

Councillor Mrs Elizabeth Cartwright, leader of EHDC, said: ÒThis is a terribly sad application because ChurcherÕs is the jewel in the crown of Petersfield.Ó