New school could have 'devastating impact' on others

CLAIMS THAT BUILDING A PRIMARY ON NEW ESTATE WOULD BE A 'WASTE OF MONEY' AS ADDITIONAL PUPIL PLACES ARE NOT NEEDED

- By LAUREN MONAGHAN Local democracy reporter

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE County Council has been asked not to waste money on a new school because there are already enough spaces for pupils.

A new primary school is proposed for the Fairham Pastures development, south of Clifton, alongside 3,000 homes, a business park, and gypsy and traveller pitches.

The scheme was expected to leave 630 primary-aged children in need of a nearby school place by 2035, and developers allocated a three-hectare space for a new primary school near the centre of the development.

At first, the school would open with two classes for each year with 420 places initially, with the opportunity to expand to three classes.

The school would also include a 39-place nursery. The council opened a consultation between March 18 and April 29 about the plans.

Around this time, council papers stated that the “expansion of existing [school] sites” was considered as an option to accommodate children living on the new estate but stated there is “limited capacity at other schools”.

But consultation feedback appears to paint the opposite picture, with 19 out of 24 responses saying “no” to a new school being built.