Delay over new Dorothy Goodman school plans
A DECISION over plans to relocate a Hinckley specialist school to the edge of town has been pushed back.
Dorothy Goodman School submitted proposals to build a new upper school on a greenfield site at the junction of Barwell Lane and Harwood Drive.
The £5 million centre would allow the school to accommodate up to 100 students aged from 11 to 19, with the possibility of expanding the age range to 25 at a later date.
Currently the upper school, on Middlefield Lane, caters for 68 people aged 14 to 19 and has “insufficient space” and “extremely limited” facilities, headteacher Janet Thompson said.
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s plan- ning committee had been expected to make a decision on the proposal in November.
But this has now been delayed until at least December - and possibly later - due to a new traffic assessment.
Planning bosses said Leicestershire County Council Highways submitted a revised traffic assessment which needs to be given “detailed consideration” before the case can come before committee.
If approved, the building will be built on land opposite Swallows Green, which was previously earmarked for educational and community use.
Design proposals include “clear, uncluttered spaces and corridors”, bright and well lit southfacing classrooms and solar chimneys which let in natural light and improve ventilation.
The school would be fitted with high levels of surveillance to keep students safe.
A “landscape buffer” of trees between the school and nearby properties would be installed to protect privacy.
The proposals include a 70-space on-site car park, a new access road and a “green travel plan” to encourage staff to cycle or walk to work in a bid to reduce the impact on rush-hour traffic.
Residents who live near the proposed site have objected to the plans and set up the Swallows Green Action Group, which has more than 60 members.
Campaigners are concerned the new site would cause traffic congestion, noise, parking problems and damage wildlife.