PLANS to create a new “all-through” school catering for pupils aged 2-16 at Padgate have been approved by Warrington planners, despite opposition from local residents.
The decision by Warrington Borough Council Development Management Committee to approve plans for all-through school at the Bruche Primary Academy site in Seymour Drive, Padgate, has been welcomed by Warrington Primary Academy Trust (WPAT).
A protest petition signed by 79 residents and 14 individual letters of objection had been received and the local parish council has also objected. But planning officers recommended 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.
It will 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.
Welcomng the decision, Bernard Clarke, Chief Operations Officer at Warrington Primary Academy Trust (WPAT) said: “We of course welcome the planning committee’s decision to approve our plans for a new all-through school on the site of Bruche Primary Academy in Seymour Drive, Padgate.
“We are now looking forward to making a start on clearance work on the site in early 2026 before construction starts.
“Our aim is to welcome our first pupils into the school in September 2026. This is an exciting additional offer to families in Warrington, with Bruche Primary Academy developing into Bruche Academy School, the first all-through school in the borough.
“Bruche Academy will provide the community with a much-needed boost to secondary school places over the next few years – meeting a demand identified by council plans.
“We understand that this development has caused some concern to nearby residents but through a process of public consultations we have listened and made alterations to our original plans so that we can ensure the new all-through school will be a good neighbour.
“We have taken care in our proposals to minimise impacts from the new building, siting it as far away from existing properties as possible and beyond the recommended distance.
“The plans include planting trees and shrubbery along our border to increase the privacy of residents and minimising windows overlooking gardens.
“Car parking has also been significantly expanded, with increased pedestrian space, allowing cars on site so that we can reduce impact on street parking. The site will retain multiple entrances and staggered school start times.
“The new building will accommodate a maximum of just 60 Year 7 students on its scheduled opening in September 2026 and will only reach its full complement of 300 students five years later. The site’s new sports and cultural facilities will also be available for use by the community.
“Bruche Primary Academy has an exemplary reputation for academic performance and behaviour and these high standards will continue to apply to the new all-through school.”
