Friary Lane resident says school's plans would 'ruin' his life

Bishop Wordsworth's School tabled plans to remove two of its temporary mobile classrooms from Friary Lane and build a 10.4m facility next to Neil Harrison's house on June 19.

The 54-year-old engineer fears if the plans go ahead he will either have to rent out his property since his house would become "unsellable" or his quality of life will be "destroyed".

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Mr Harrison told the Journal he's a "really private person" and has grown bushes all around his garden to shield himself.

But the school block would be "twice the height" of his house, shadowing his property with windows overlooking his back garden.

He said: "It's a massive intrusion into my private life. It just seems so ridiculous."

Neil Harrison's garden, opposite the temporary Bishops classrooms. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

The existing temporary classrooms backing onto Friary Lane. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

In the plans, Bishops say the temporary classrooms currently in the space are "beyond their life cycle".

Mr Harrison is calling upon the school to follow national government guidance and not build remote classroom facilities offsite to prevent children "wandering the street between lessons".

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A document created by Peter Smith Associates Architects states: "The design of the new facility has been carefully considered to ensure it will sit comfortably within its surroundings and will not be overbearing or impact the neighbouring properties."

Mr Harrison was notified about the plans after Bishops posted the planning documents through his door, which he has posted onto a board outside his house for all to see, but said he has not had direct contact with the school.

Planning documents posted outside Mr Harrison's house. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Notice posted in the window of the Bishop's Gate building, Exeter Street. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

The deadline for public comments on the proposals is August 6, but Wiltshire Council has until August 7 to make a decision on whether to approve the plans.

Five pages of comments from disgruntled locals have been received so far.

Mary Frances Powis, who lives next to the Bishop's Gate building, said the impact on several of the neighbouring gardens is "likely to be considerable" with the impact on Mr Harrison's house being "severe".

She added: "The blocky nature of the facade appears to take design cues from the adjacent four-storey flatted building to the south.

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"Neither have regard for the adjacent conservation area and fail to respond positively to the street scene."

The proposals will be discussed by Salisbury City Council's Planning Committee on Monday, July 24.

To view the plans (PL/2023/03504) in full, click here.

Bishop Wordsworth's School was approached for comment.