£3.5m expansion of Cruckton Hall School wins backing
A parish council is backing ambitious £3.5 million expansion plans for a school near Shrewsbury.
Pontesbury Parish Council has come out in support of extending Cruckton Hall School, in Cruckton, claiming the move will safeguard its future.
Governors want to build a three-storey drama building and a two-storey reception and administration block in the school grounds.
The move will create up to 50 teaching jobs over the next five years and also see improvements to the main entrance and sports hall, as well as additional parking.
The boys' boarding school, which caters for children with special needs, would see pupil numbers rise from 92 to 114 on the back of the development.
Pontesbury Parish Council has lodged supporting comments in favour of the expansion proposals on Shropshire Council's planning website,
Allan Hodges, Cruckton ward councillor for Pontesbury Parish Council, said the plans 'will help to safeguard the future of the school and provide additional employment'.
He added: "The architecture of new buildings respects the existing listed buildings."
But he said additional signs should be placed on the road outside the school to deter speeding motorists.
"The parish council recommends additional road signs to encourage a reduction in speed of vehicles approaching the school entrance, which has been the scene of numerous minor crashes.
"To further appreciate the listed building, the front of the hall should be limited to unloading vehicles only and the portable buildings removed.
"To compensate for the extra traffic, occasional use of the drama suite by villagers would be welcomed."
The expansion plans come after holding company Kisimul bought the grade II-listed school out of administration in 2007, completing the deal earlier this year.
