Daventry school allowed to use buildings later and at weekends in close vote

Daventry UTC, off Ashby Road, had made an application to alter the hours the building was allowed to be used which were contained in a condition attached to its planning approval.

The hours of operation for the building have been until now 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5.30pm on Fridays, and not at all over weekends or bank holidays.

The school day at the UTC runs from 8.30am to 4pm.

In its application to alter these hours the school argued the restricted hours of use meant ordinary school events like parents’ evenings were technically banned, and it prevented opening evenings or public events at the weekend from taking place. Even allowing students into the building, like those whose bus arrived early, was technically barred until the start of the learning day at 8.30am.

The school also pointed out that none of its facilities were available to other groups to use out of school hours.

On Wednesday night councillors on DDC’s planning committee considered the application to extend the hours to 7.30am to 10pm weekdays, and 6am to 4pm on weekends, with the building remaining closed on bank holidays.

After a lengthy discussion a vote was held, which was tied six-six. The deadlock was broken by the chairman’s casting vote in favour of the application and it was therefore approved.