Consultation is under way on proposals to expand the capacity of six primary schools to help ensure that Cheshire West and Chester Council is able to maintain an adequate supply of school places.
Several years of steeply increased birth rates and ambitious housing targets have seen some of the highest rates of housing starts and completions in the country, with further development either imminent or in the planning process.
The proposals affect schools in Northwich, Tarporley, Winsford, Tattenhall and Farndon.
Councillor Nicole Meardon, Cabinet member for children and families, said: “Finding room for all the extra places we need is a real challenge but one we are determined to meet in the best way possible.
“This consultation will give people in the community the chance to have their say on the plans to provide much needed additional school places close to home for children.”
Residents can make their thoughts known or have their questions answered by emailing schoolplanningandpolicy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk; or by going to the consultation pages on the Cheshire West and Chester Council website.
The six schools that are the subject of consultation are:
Cuddington Primary School - Demand for pupil places significantly exceeds the number of places currently available at the school. Substantial current and future housing will further increase the demand. The proposal is that the current 210 place school - which admits up to 30 children each year - will increase its capacity to approximately 315 places capable of admitting 45 pupils each year. If the outcome of the consultation process is positive it is hoped that the additional capacity will be available from September 2017. An open consultation event will be held at the school on October 4 from 3-6pm.
Farndon Primary School - New housing developments at Fern Lea and Kings Meadow have increased demand for places, leading to increased class sizes and an increase in admission appeals. Further substantial new housing initiated in 2016 (eg land off Brewery House Lane) will increase the demand for places significantly above the current capacity of the school. The proposal is that the current 210 place school which admits up to 30 children each year will increase its capacity to 315 places capable of admitting 45 pupils each year. If the outcome of the public consultation process is positive, it is anticipated that the additional school capacity to accommodate the new families in the new housing will be available from September 2018. An open consultation event is scheduled to be held at the school on October 11 from 3-6pm.
Tarporley Church Of England Primary School - Demand for pupil places exceeds the number of places currently available at the school. Substantial current and future housing will further increase the demand. The proposal is that the current 210 place school which admits up to 30 children each year will increase its capacity to approximately 315 places capable of admitting 45 pupils each year. If the outcome of the consultation process is positive it is hoped that the additional capacity will be available from September 2017. An open consultation event is scheduled to be held at the school on October 3 from 3-6pm.
Tattenhall Park Primary School - New housing developments have increased demand for places leading to increased class sizes and an increase in admission appeals. With substantial current housing progressing (eg land off Harding Avenue) and others in the pipeline such as land off Smithfield and Greenlands, this will further increase the demand for primary school places in Tattenhall above the current supply of places. The proposal is that the current 210 place school which admits up to 30 children each year will increase its capacity to 315 places capable of admitting 45 pupils each year. If the outcome of the public consultation process is positive, it is anticipated that the additional school capacity will be available from September 2018. An open consultation event is scheduled to be held at the school on October 17 from 3-6pm.
Winnington Park Community Primary and Nursery School - Demand for pupil places significantly exceeds the number of places currently available at the school. Substantial current and future housing will further increase the demand. The proposal is that the current 210 place school which admits up to 30 children each year will increase its capacity to approximately 420 places capable of admitting 60 pupils each year. If the outcome of the consultation process is positive it is hoped that the additional capacity will be available from September 2017. An open consultation event is scheduled to be held at the school on October 5 from 3-6pm.
Winsford High Street Community Primary School - Demand for pupil places significantly exceeds the number of places currently available at the school; this being a combination of increased parental preference and substantial current and future housing in the area. The proposal is that the current 420 place school which admits up to 60 children each year will increase its capacity to 525 places capable of admitting 75 pupils each year. If the outcome of the consultation process is positive it is hoped that the additional capacity will be available from September 2017. An open consultation event is scheduled to be held at the school on October 6 from 3pm-6pm.
