Councillors oppose free school extension

TWO councillors have lodged objections to plans for temporary extensions to house increased numbers of pupils at Warrington’s independent free school, Kings Leadership Academy.
Members of the borough council’s planning committee will consider the application tonight (Wednesday).
The academy school is currently using classrooms at Bruche Primary Sechool in Seymour Drive, Poulton-with-Fearnhead pending completion of a new building on land off Hillock Lane, Woolston around September next year.
A new intake of pupils in September this year will increase the number of pupils from 170 to 290 and the number of staff will rise from 12 to 15.
Cllr Colin Froggatt (pictured) – a former education chief – and Cllr Maureen Creaghan have lodge objections on the grounds of overcapacity, increased traffic, lack of parking and increased and prolonged disturbance to neighbours.
Three objections have also been received from nearby residents, on similar grounds.
The school’s application is for retention of an existing classroom block and erection of a new classroom block, both for a temporary period of until April 2016.
Planning officers say the development will have no significant impact on residential amenity nor caus harm through loss of outlook, light or privacy.
Any impact on noise levels would be neutral. Additional staff and visitor parking can be accommodated
They are recommending the scheme be approved, subject to a number of conditions.