Village primary school set to be demolished and replaced with new building
Councillors have been asked to approve plans to demolish an ageing village primary school and replace it with a new facility.
The proposals for Sharlston Community School in Wakefield form part of the government’s school rebuilding plan.
A report said the project aims to “replace ageing and deteriorating school buildings at the end of their useful life.”
Wakefield Council officers have recommended the scheme be given the go-ahead when the authority’s planning and highways committee meets on December 11.
The scheme 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.
If approved, the replacement building would be constructed before the demolition of the main teaching block to prevent disruption to the operation of the school.
The application is to be 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, an 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.
“It is understood that the inclusion of this results in a significantly greater provision of playing field area than the minimum required.”
Two further objections have been submitted by local residents raising concerns over traffic and parking during the building work.
Two comments have been submitted in favour of the scheme.
The officer said: “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.”