School to build on playing field

A WARRINGTON primary school has won permission to extend on to its playing fields – subject to the approval of the government.
Borough council planners have approved the scheme at St Philip’s CE Primary, Westbrook, despite an objection from Sport England.
The extensions will provide the six additional classrooms allowing an increase of pupils from the existing 413 to a maximum of 630.
There will also be an increase in staff numbers from 74 to 112.
A relocated play area to the west of the main extension will be provided on an existing playing pitch.
Council chiefs say replacement playing pitch space can be provided as part of a separate scheme for a replacement school for Barrow Hall Primary.
There will still be a significant amount of playing field at St Philip’s and they believe the need for additional school places outweighs the loss of playing field. The likely provision of extra playing fields as part of the Barrow Hall development mitigates the loss, even though it cannot be controlled through the current planning application.
But Sport England say there is no legal agreement, condition or contract to guarantee the replacement playing pitch so they cannot rely on this.
Final approval must be given by the Secretary of State however.