Clock will move to new Telford school site
A clock tower at a Shropshire school which is set to close will be saved and reinstated at a new academy, planners were told at a meeting.
It was a condition of outline planning permission granted last night to demolish a Telford school and build 53 houses in its place.
The 2.5 hectare site of Wrockwardine Wood Arts College will become redundant when pupils move to Telford's new Co-operative Academy, set to open in 2016.
Telford & Wrekin Council planning committee last night granted the council's property services department permission for the site at New Road, Wrockwardine Wood, to be developed.
Member and former pupil councillor Gilly Reynolds said she was pleased the clock to be saved and expressed her support for the plan, but other councillors raised concerns like the lack of affordable housing and increased traffic.
Councillor Ian Fletcher said: "I am very disappointed.
"If this had been a normal developer applying for permission for houses there would be a requirement for section 106 money for various things.
"Because it's a large site there would have been a percentage of affordable housing and these are not being included just because this is a council site and the council wants money for new schools.
"I think it's totally inappropriate."
Councillor Nigel Dugmore added: "I find it astonishing when we have sat here time and time again going on about affordable housing then Telford & Wrekin brings this application with no affordable housing in it. It''s crazy."
He also raised concerns about traffic but Councillor Reynolds replied: "I think 53 houses is going to create a lot less traffic than a 200-place school.
"I think this will improve the quality of life here."
Members resolved to grant planning permission subject to written confirmation of financial contributions.
The Co-operative Academy at Oakengates Leisure Centre will bring together pupils from Wrockwardine Wood and Sutherland Business and Enterprise College.
The 8,550sq metre school for 11 to 16 year olds is part of a £200 million plan to build four new schools in Telford as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme.
