THE controversial plans for a new “all through” school catering for pupils aged 2-16 at Poulton-with-Feanhead comes before Warrington planning chiefs next week.
A protest petition signed by 79 residents and 14 individual letters of objection have been received and the local parish council has also objected.
But planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved.
The school – designed to help cope with a growing shortfall of secondary school places in the borough – involves an expansion of the existing Bruche Primary School, in Seymour Drive.
It would mean the demolition of the existing southern block of buildings, which are no longer used, the erection of a new early years wing and an extension of the existing primary school.
There would be car and cycle parking space, landscaping, drainage improvements and multi-use games area.
The new all-through school would be known as Bruche Academy. It would help to cope with a significant increase in demand for secondary school places, expected to peak next year. The aim is for the new school to be ready for September next year.
In addition to general teaching spaces, there would be specialist classrooms and laboratories, art and science spaces and music and drama spaces. New sports facilities would also be available for public use.
The primary and secondary school buildings would have a connecting link to allow for the circulsation of staff and pupils. The proposals would cater for 300 new pupils.
Bruche Primary School is part of the Warrington Primary Academy Trust (WPAT).
The objectors claim thered is no need for secondary school in the area.
They say there is insufficient parking in the surrounding area, that local roads are unsuitable for development of this size and there is Insufficient access for school and construction traffic, as well as emergency vehicles.
There would be highway safety issues for children travelling to school and proposed community use of multi-use games areas would exacerbate traffic issues.
In addition, there would beanti-social parking by parents in surrounding streets
The proposed building would not be in keeping with the local area.
Officers are recommending the scheme be approved and members of the borough council’s development management committee are expected to reach a decision next Thursday.
