Decision due on proposals for a primary school
PLANS for a primary school on an estate now under construction are due to be determined by councillors tomorrow.
The school would be built on the site of an 850-home development off Normandy Way which is under way in Hinckley.
Leicestershire County Council’s plans will be considered by the county’s Development Control and Regulatory Board.
If the board approves the plan, most of the expected £6 million cost of the school would be provided by estate developer Bloor Homes.
There would be capacity for 210 pupils in the single-storey school, which would have seven classrooms, a specialist teaching room for practical subjects such as cookery, a hall, library, garden and wildlife area.
It would have solar panels and air source heat pumps in line with the county council’s green agenda.
Councillor Deborah Taylor, the county’s cabinet member for children and families, said: “Providing new school places across the county is a top priority for us in order to meet the expected demand, particularly in the Hinckley area as the town expands.”
The county council would own the school, but it would be run as an academy, by a trust yet to be determined, a spokeswoman for the authority said.
Last month the council said four academy trusts have been recommended to the Department for Education, which will make the final decision.
The trusts referred to the Secretary of State are: Discovery Schools, L.E.A.D, Owls and Scholars.
The successful trust is due to be announced next month.
If permission is granted, construction work is expected to begin in September this year, with the school expected to open in September 2023.
The proposals anticipate that in the first year of opening, 30 pupils would be admitted to the reception year.
The same number of pupils would be accepted in the second year, plus 30 in Year 1, with 30 more being added in successive years until the capacity is reached.
The main school building would be located in the southern half of the application site, with access points and drop-off zone along the western boundary.
A hard outdoor PE area and sports pitch are proposed to be located in the northern half of the application site.
The council report said a highways assessment concluded the estimated 119 two-way vehicle trips associated with staff and pupils either end of the school day can be accommodated by the highway network.
Construction work would take place between 8am and 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. Neighbours would be updated by bimonthly newsletters.
The housing development, off Normandy Way, plus shops and community facilities, such as sport pitches, parkland, play areas and allotments, was granted outline planning permission in 2018.
210 PLACES WOULD BE CREATED ON NEW ESTATE