Councillors in Warrington are preparing to vote on a proposal to establish an all-through school catering to children aged two to 16. The application, submitted by the Warrington Primary Academy Trust, concerns the redevelopment of Bruche Primary School located on Seymour Drive. The decision will be made by the development management committee on Thursday.
The proposed plan includes the demolition of the existing southern block of buildings, which are currently unused, and the construction of a new early years wing. This redevelopment aims to expand the primary school’s capacity by an additional 300 pupils, while also enhancing facilities with features such as car and cycle parking, landscaping, drainage improvements, and a multi-use games area.
According to the report prepared for the committee, the current primary school serves approximately 250 pupils with a staff of 30. The new design includes a dedicated early years building for children up to five years old, which will maintain the existing number of early years pupils. The primary section will continue as a single-form entry, while the new secondary provision is designed to accommodate two-form entry, supporting a total of 300 pupils.
The secondary school block will be two storeys tall, reaching a maximum height of approximately 9 meters. Additionally, a sports hall and an assembly hall are proposed for the rear of the building. The sports hall will match the height of the main secondary structure and will connect to the primary school via a single-storey link, which will house a new dining area.
To address parking needs, an expanded car park will be created at the front of the school, providing 64 new parking spaces, along with an additional 10 spaces adjacent to the existing exit from the car park. Including the current 14 spaces, the total will rise to 88 parking spaces. Furthermore, a designated area for 44 bicycles will be established to encourage cycling among students.
The application process included public notifications through press notices, site notices, and 86 neighbour notification letters. Despite these efforts, the proposal has faced opposition. A petition against the plans has garnered 79 signatures, alongside 14 objection letters. Concerns raised include the perceived lack of need for a secondary school in this location, insufficient parking, unsuitable local roads for such a development, safety risks for children, and potential impacts on local air quality due to increased traffic.
Despite the objections, council officers have recommended that the application be approved, subject to certain conditions. The report highlights that the extension of the existing school to create an all-through institution is deemed acceptable and will not result in an unacceptable loss of open space.
“The design and layout of the proposals are considered acceptable,” the report states. “The impacts of the development on the local highway network and highway safety, as well as residential and environmental amenity, can be suitably mitigated through conditions.”
As the committee prepares to deliberate, the outcome of this proposal could significantly reshape educational facilities in the area, potentially providing a comprehensive option for families with children from early years through to secondary education.
