Wakefield primary school dating back to 1930s to be demolished and rebuilt
Plans to demolish a primary school in Wakefield which dates back to the 1930s and replace it with a new teaching facility have been given the go-ahead.
The proposals for Sharlston Community School were unanimously approved by Wakefield Council’s planning and highways committee at a meeting on Thursday (December 11).
The scheme forms part of the government’s school rebuilding plan, which targets investment in educational buildings in the worst condition across England.
The plan also includes making improvements to the school car park, creating new playing fields and installing a multi-use games area (MUGA) at the site on Hammer Lane.
The replacement building is to be constructed before the demolition of the main teaching block to prevent disruption to the operation of the school.
Charles Dunn, a planning agent speaking on behalf of the applicant and Waterton Academy Trust, said: “This is a positive scheme. The school is an asset to the community.
“However, the existing main teaching block is identified by the Department of Education as being at the end of its life.
“There are a number of areas of key concern.
“This application proposes to deliver a modern, safe, net-zero operation ensuring continuity of education throughout the construction period.“It will provide a vastly
improved learning environment.”
Two objections to the development were submitted by local residents, raising concerns over traffic and parking during the building work.
Mr Dunn said: “We are aware that a small number of residents are concerned about access and parking but I stress that this is an ongoing matter of management.
“The proposals under consideration today will not increase the number of pupils.”
Sharlton resident Dave Bould told the meeting that there were traffic issues on roads near to the site at the start and end of the school day.
Mr Bould said he believed the problem would get worse during the construction of the school and had asked council highways officers to introduce a residents’ parking permit scheme in the area.
He said: “It’s going to be a lot more dangerous with all these extra vehicles.”
The application was determined by councillors after Sport England objected to the scheme due to the new building being constructed on part of the school’s existing playing field.
Addressing the issue, a council officer’s report said: “It should be noted that a new area of playing with a MUGA would then be constructed on land to the south of the site following the demolition of the existing school building.
“Whilst the concerns raised by Sport England are noted, in this instance, weight is attached to the large amount of the existing playing field which is proposed to be retained to the north of the site, which is also used as a rugby pitch.
“Having considered the benefits of the scheme along with the constraints of the site, it is considered that the principle of the development in this location is acceptable.”