1,200-pupil high school will be built
COUNCILLORS BACK PLANS DESPITE FEARS OVER RISE IN ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
A NEW high school will be built in Chorlton.
Manchester’s planning committee gave the green light for the 1,200-pupil secondary school on Mauldeth Lane West. It will become the permanent home of Chorlton High School South whose year 7 pupils are currently taught at nearby Lowry House.
The approval comes despite opposition from neighbouring schools who said they’re worried it could lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour.
But councillors backed the recommendation by town hall officers.
Developers told a planning meeting that the existing site was not capable of accommodating any further children.
And they warned that there is an ‘identified shortfall’ in secondary school places in Manchester from September 2020 onwards.
But bosses at nearby Loreto High School objected to the plans, according to planning papers that went before the council.
They said there were enough schools serving Chorlton and neighbouring Didsbury.
“They also commented on the concentration of secondary school pupils in the area, stating that there is antisocial behaviour in the area and on the public transport network. They also state that the scheme would place strain on the highway network,” planning documents said.
Local councillors had mixed views on the plans. They recognised the need for more school places in the city - and in their area - but said that the site chosen was ‘not ideal’ due to its close proximity to existing schools.
In planning documents they also raised concerns about transport.
However, they said council officers had taken their concerns ‘very seriously.’
A package of transport works have been agreed as part of the plans.
These include the creation of a pedestrian cycleway to the south of Mauldeth Road West, widening the existing Mauldeth Road West crossing point, improvements for pedestrians at the junction at Alexandra Road South and Mauldeth Road South and traffic regulation orders and speed warning signs put in place on Mauldeth Road West.
The existing bus stops on Mauldeth Road would also be upgraded.
The school is expected to be open for September 2020’s intake.
Around 120 full-time members of staff will be taken on.
The proposals also include an allweather pitch and a multi-use games area close to the sports hall and an ecology study area.