A free school has been granted planning permission to convert the remainder of its site back to an educational facility.
And University Cathedral Free School, based in Union Street, opposite Grosvenor Park, has also changed its name to University Church Free School (UCFS).
The original vision was a partnership between umbrella body University of Chester Academies Trust (UCAT) and Chester Cathedral with the ambition to open in Abbey Square within the cathedral grounds. But complications with the ageing building meant this was not possible.
UCFS pursued a two stage strategy to gain planning consent for its current primary school site which was latterly Murlain House Business Centre but originally Love Street School, built in Edwardian times.
Last September it gained planning consent, on the first day of term, to convert the west wing of the grade II-listed Murlain House back to a school which, together with the modern Gatehouse building, meant 120 pupils could be accommodated.
Now the remainder of Murlain House has gained permission meaning the school will be able to grow to full capacity with 210 students.
A UCAT spokesperson said “After careful consideration, Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) has granted both planning permission and listed building consent for the final phase of the UCFS building project.
'Exciting plans'
“This means that the school will now be able to make use of the full potential of the Murlain House site and to bring its exciting plans for the new facilities to fruition.”
The statement added: “This marks the beginning of a new era for the University Cathedral Free School (UCFS), which has also been renamed, to reflect its growing prominence and relevance beyond the City of Chester.
“As the University Church Free School, UCFS will have a greater involvement with the Diocese of Chester as a whole from this point, although Chester Cathedral will continue to offer the support which is available to all Church of England recognised schools.”
The new school has sparked controversy in some quarters.
CWaC's planning team concluded it should have sought planning permission for a mobile toilet block and temporary fencing erected within the playground. And there were health and safety fears about an unstable wall within the playground.
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More generally, there has been concern about the noise of children playing impacting on neighbours. There have been claims the size of classrooms and outdoor space are inadequate as well as fears about air quality plus highway concerns related to congestion and safety.
Eyebrows were raised at the loss of a business centre suitable for small firms.
But planning officer Dave Kenyon concluded: “The current office accommodation at Murlain House does not meet a modern office requirement that businesses are looking for.”
He added: “The proposals would provide additional educational facilities in a sustainable location that would increase the choice available within the local community and a re-use of the whole of Murlain House that would help safeguard the future maintenance of the listed building."
