PLANS have been put forward for a larger reception area at a secondary school in Carlisle.
The application submitted to Cumberland Council seeks to extend the current reception and waiting room at St John Henry Newman Catholic School.
The proposed extension, a flat roof addition, aims to address the growing demands on staff as well as increase security on-site at the school.
The school, on Scalegate Road, has highlighted the current congestion and difficulties with door control, particularly regarding staff visibility of who enters the building and how they can be managed.
The main planning issues identified involve balancing the provision of an extended and improved reception with maintaining the design assets of the main building.
This has been resolved by using matching materials sourced from the original window and door installers, the curtain walling company, and the brick manufacturer.
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The design and access statement reads: "At the moment, the reception has no presence at all, other than signage as it suffers from the same fenestration patterns to that of the side doors and dining hall.
"A new extended entrance will overcome the confusion of establishing where reception is when entering the grounds."
According to plans, the new reception will handle up to three members of staff for signing in and general enquiries, reducing confrontation through a narrow window, which is the current arrangement.
"As far as general planning is concerned, it follows good design practice when addressing an existing building and will serve to improve the features lacking in the current reception by re-arranging the entry doors to face the natural pedestrian and car park routes," the proposal reads.
"Internally, circulation will now revolve around the more open reception desk with easier visibility of visitors. There will still be double security pass door access to the actual school ground floor but this too can now be better managed and controlled."
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