Expansion of village school near Whitchurch approved

The scheme will see Malpas Alport Endowed Primary School, near Whitchurch, expand its capacity by more than 100 from September 2018.

The changes will see the creation of additional classrooms, as well as extending the school hall, with a budget set at £1.51m.

The scheme was approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning committee by six votes to five at a meeting this week.

The council has revealed how the school is over-subscribed in five out of its seven year groups and a shortfall in all year groups is predicted in the future.

A report on behalf of the council's planning officers states: "The proposal is for the demolition of the school house located to the front of the site and replacement with a new single storey split level building in order to accommodate four additional classrooms and associated facilities.

"The proposals also include an expansion of the existing car park to the front of the school, an extension to the existing school hall, a small rear extension to the existing school building to extend an undersized classroom and a new ramped access to the existing school.

"It is considered that the proposed development would result in an uplift of approximately 103 pupils and five additional staff members.

"The staff parking on site would be increased as part of this application from 13 to 23 therefore catering for the five additional staff members and providing further spaces for existing staff."

Malpas Parish Council said it recognises the need for the expansion of the school in order to cater for the demand for more school places from local children as the village expands.

But it has raised concerns about the size of the development in relation to the plot size, as well as traffic and safety issues.

A previous application considered by the planning committee was refused after fears were raised by the amount of traffic which would be generated by the development.

"This application has therefore been accompanied by a transport statement which has been considered by the council’s highways officer. It should be noted that, subject to conditions, the highways officer raised no objections to the previously proposed scheme," the report adds.