School granted permission to build new classroom to provide more childcare places
School granted permission to build a new classroom
A West Yorkshire school has been granted permission to build a new classroom after it was included in a government scheme to provide more childcare places.
Crigglestone Nursery School submitted the proposal in March this year, days after it was named among more than 300 schools across the country to benefit from the project.
The schools are to receive a share of £45m of funding to build or expand nurseries on their site under the Best Start programme.
The Department for Education said it would create over 6,000 more childcare places, in addition to 7,000 already being delivered from the first phase of the scheme.
A heritage statement submitted on behalf of the school, which dates back to the 1890s, said the new facility would provide additional space for lunches and after school clubs.
The document said: “The proposals will not impact on the existing features of special architectural or historic interest, and the public benefits of the proposed building are considered sufficient to outweigh any harm to the character, appearance and setting of the building.”
A Wakefield Council officer’s report said the scheme complied with local and national planning policies.
Extra place are expected to be available at the the school, on High Street, from September.
Earlier this year, Labour said Best Start formed part of its “wider programme to support families with the cost of living”, which included providing 30 hours of funded childcare for eligible working parents and free breakfast clubs.
Jade Botterill, Labour MP for Ossett and Denby Dale, said at the time: “For young families across our area, childcare costs represent an enormous slice of their monthly budgets.
“This, amongst the broader cost of living crisis on families, is an absolute priority for me.
“This government is giving local families the support they need, and ensuring children growing up in Ossett and Denby Dale get the best start in life.”