‘Monstrosity at school is ruining view from home’

RESIDENTS in a village street have complained a large sprinkler unit at a new school is ruining the view from their home.

The metal tank has been put up at Newlands ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) School, right next to the site’s boundary on Moore Road, Barwell, which was previously marked by a hedge and a line of trees.

Dorothy Tyrrell and her husband have lived on the street for many years and their house is opposite where the unit is in place.

They were initially very supportive of the plans to demolish the former Newlands Primary School and build a special needs facility in its place before the “monstrosity” appeared.

Dorothy said: “We as residents of Moore Road are outraged at the sheer thoughtlessness and total disregard for our surroundings and mental wellbeing on the planning of this.

“It’s already affected our mood. As if things aren’t bad enough with coronavirus. We’re both over 65, my husband has worked all his life to get what we have got.

“We feel as if our home has been taken away from us.”

Leicestershire County Council is overseeing the project to build the school. A spokesman said: “The location for the sprinkler was chosen as it was best suited to connect with other services and to provide a logical site layout.”

Several drop-in sessions were held as part of the planning process for residents to find out about the proposal and ask questions.

Ms Tyrrell went to see the plans then, but she claims the layout was very vague and didn’t say where the sprinkler unit would go. She has now complained to the county council about the position of the sprinkler.

Councillor Deborah Taylor, cabinet member for children and families, said: “We are aware of the resident’s concerns with aspects of the new development, which is to create a much-needed 80-place school for pupils with communication and interaction (ASD) needs in the Hinckley area.

“This important work forms part of the council’s ambitious plans to increase its Send (special educational needs and disability) provision across the county.

“We’re also working closely with the developer to see if there are any additional improvements that can be made to the landscape to address the resident’s concerns.”

Ms Tyrrell raised the issue with Coun Huw Williams, who represents

Barwell on Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

He said he was trying to resolve the issue through the borough council and with the county council.

He said: “I wouldn’t like that view from my front window.

“At the moment, I have a commitment from the school to replant the hedge that was removed and I am looking for extra items from Leicestershire County Council such as changing the colour and possibly planting trees to screen the view.

“Obviously planting would take some time to mature.”