CONTROVERSIAL plans  for Ellesmere Port's new £20m Academy School have had unanimous approval, raising concerns among some quarters.

Cheshire West and Chester councillors decided the application at a meeting in HQ, Chester.

Cllr Tony Sherlock (Lab, Grange) said: "This has been a controversial application.

"There is a feeling among people in Ellesmere Port that this meeting should have been held in Ellesmere Port.”

Councillors were told in a report that residents on Whitby Road had sought a deferral due to the short notice given of the meeting.

Cllr Sherlock said he was ‘disturbed’ about consultations with groups at The Hub, which is to close in November, as he and other councillors had not been involved, although he believed 'most of the worries and concerns laid at my door two years ago seem to have been met'.

He believed it was ‘vital’ that Hub users should have assurances.

 Cllr Sherlock believed children being dropped off would be the major issue and said: "I am not assured people will not park in Whitby Road and cause a nuisance there".

He described parking in Whitby Park as ‘a considerable trek’ from the new academy and pointed out that at 9am in the morning, parking spaces were now available at the council offices.

Cllr Brian Jones (Lab, Whitby) pointed out that 25 different clubs used The Hub buildings and said it had originally been thought these would stay.

He was ‘disturbed’ it would close in November with alternative arrangements being made at the Oasis Boys Club.

Cllr Jones pointed out that many users had disabilities and needed continuity.

"We said very, very clearly that we were adamant users of the hub had to be found suitable alternative accommodation," insisted Cllr Angela Claydon (Lab, St Paul's).

She felt issues which had been raised very recently ‘should have been dealt with months ago’ and suggested: "Somebody has been very remiss."

Cllr Claydon raised a series of concerns including visitor parking, visitor access to the main entrance, fencing to Mallory Road, blue and black bricks suggested for the sports hall along Sutton Way.

She said: “It would be very oppressive compared to the present playing fields, lighting to a floodlit pitch and parking.”

A report says the academy will occupy a prominent site next to the junction of Sutton Way and Whitby Road.
Most of the campus, where the school buildings are proposed, will be on land bounded by Sutton Way and Whitby Road, including the existing playing fields, the Connexions Youth Centre (The Hub) and adjoining sports hall and a former depot off Sutton Way.

The development also includes the Luton Way playing fields which are not part of the application.

Unused land at the end of Kensington Road, which is designated for housing, is no longer included.

A small area near Sutton Way has been brought in.

The academy, which already has outline permission, has been designed for 1,350 students including a 300-place sixth form, according to the report.

It is sponsored by the University of Chester, the Anglican Diocese of Chester and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The scheme will be carried out by Bedfordshire based Kier Group and the premises will be leased to the academy.

Alterations are proposed to the crossroads at the junction of Sutton Way, Whitby Road and Stanney Lane to allow for pedestrians with another pedestrian crossing on Sutton Way.

There will be a bus and coach drop-off but no provision for cars to drop off or pick up pupils within the academy.
A drop-off zone is proposed on Sutton Way and Whitby Road with parents encouraged to drop off at the town centre car parks and in Whitby Park.

The new-build includes state-of-the-art science laboratories, drama and performance areas, a creative learning centre, a media centre and 550-seat theatre and special needs provision.

Sports facilities include two full-size football pitches, six multi-sports courts and outdoor fitness areas. The Luton Road playing fields will be used mainly by older pupils and will have two grass football pitches, a junior/mini pitch and a grass running track. High-quality facilities are proposed for community use including the hall and performance space, the sports hall, fitness suite, an all weather pitch, an outdoor multi-use games area and the grass pitches.

Existing users of The Hub are being offered alternative temporary accommodation until facilities are available in the academy itself.

Granting planning permission, councillors agreed suggestions by Cllr Claydon regarding increased visitor parking and alternative arrangements for access to the entrance to the academy.

Academy principal Kevin McDermott recently told the Pioneer: ”The new building will be more than a school, it will be an icon for our community.

“It will enable our students to live their dreams and it will ensure our talented staff can best support outstanding teaching and learning.

"Our students, staff and community deserve this."

Work starts on August 1 with the academy opening in October 2012.