Brine Leas School in Nantwich is backing a developer’s bid to build 104 houses which could free up land to help the school expand.
Wain Homes North West has permission to build 33 homes on land (pictured) to the south of Brine Leas School playing fields, off Audlem Road.
Now the developer and school bosses have met to devise a new plan.
This would see Wain Homes building 104 homes on land further south, while offering the land they currently have permission for to Brine Leas for expansion.
Brine Leas headteacher Andrew Cliffe had objected to Wain Homes’ original application to build 40 homes, which the company won permission for on appeal in August 2014.
Now he has written to Cheshire East Council setting out the need for future expansion, and backing the new plan.
Mr Cliffe (pictured, right) said: “Brine Leas, as a successful school in Nantwich, wishes to expand.
“While there have been a number of housing developments in Nantwich and surrounding areas, there have been no financial contribution or tangible benefit to my school to compensate for the growing intake.
“I see this alternative as a last opportunity for a logical expansion site for the school before the permitted houses are built.”
In its planning report, agents for Wain Homes said: “We have received a copy of a letter sent by the Head of Brine Leas School to the council setting out the need for this land for future expansion and the continued success of the school.
“In the letter the school realises that this application is the last opportunity it has as if this application is not approved, timescales dictate that the extant consent will be built out.
“Therefore, after the reserved matters application was approved, Wainhomes contacted Brine
Leas School to discuss their concerns.
“And as a result this alternative proposal was considered, agreed with the school and landowners and prepared for submission.”
He said school expansion could include a new all weather sport facility, and new two-storey buildings which could accommodate growing pupil numbers.
Nantwich town councillors discussed the new proposal tonight (September 7), with concerns over impact on traffic from double the number of houses.
Cllr Norma Simpson said: “Brine Leas is a splendid school which is important to Nantwich.
“But of great concern is the number of extra houses and impact on traffic using a country lane like Audlem Road.
“How is the area going to cope with the extra traffic on a narrow stretch of road?”
Councillors have agreed to write to Cheshire East airing their concern over traffic impact.
Let’s not forget that giving a piece of land to a local school is not part of the planning application and is not a planning reason to either refuse or permit the application. It is simply a consequence of the application, as is more traffic, a narrowed main road, more pollution and yet another field concreted over.
I agree the developer has gone about this via the back door to get more houses but dont forget Brine Leas is an outstanding school and any expansion can only be good for the children of nantwich who go there now and in the future. Give Mr Cliffe what he needs to be even better.
Should not the Nantwich South bypass be part of the plans to ease the already traffic congestion in the area
Interesting, are local people being railroaded into accepting this as a done deal, without discussion?
Seems like a clever move or is it a sharp move?!
Suddenly someone has woken up and realised more houses need more schools.
Perhaps the original school design was poor, and this should have been taken into account at the start.
No one here heard of basements?
This is development by the back door, plain and simple. Wainhomes won permission at a Public Inquiry to build 40 houses, they now say – actually we want to build 104 houses. Wainhomes didn’t seem to care about Brine Leas for their first application. I’m afraid that Wainhomes have acted true to form and gone for the bigger prize – more houses. The Company makes great play of the fact that they talked to the school about expansion plans, however, they have not spoken to one single local resident about the previous application or this new application. Search Cheshire East Planning to view the Application Number 15/3868N. Last date for objections is 1st October.
Yet more traffic to an already congested area causing more safely risk to pedestrians including school children Mr Cliffe.