PLANS have been approved to build a new primary school on Swinyard Road.
Councillors of Worcestershire County Council’s planning committee gave the proposals to build Malvern Vale Primary School the green light at a meeting held yesterday (Tuesday).
The one-form entry school (Reception to Year 6) will expand the existing Somers Park Primary School in order to accommodate pupils from the Malvern Vale housing development.
The Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy considered the proposal to be sustainable with it including the installation of PV panels, a Sedum roof, and orientation for optimising passive solar gain.
Coun Rob Adams, chair of the Planning & Regulatory Committee, said: “We are pleased to approve this application, subject to a number of conditions as set out in the agenda papers.
“The Committee is satisfied that this is a sustainable development and shows great consideration for minimising any impact on the local environment.
“The sustainable drainage and sedum roofs are particularly encouraging, as these greatly reduce the risk of localised flooding issues that arise from new developments.”
Coun Marc Bayliss, responsible for Children and Families, added: “The conditional approval of this planning proposal is excellent news for local families.
“With new housing developments progressing well, the demand for school places in Worcestershire is greater than ever, and it is hugely important that we meet this demand.
“This proposed developments will help us to ensure that all children in Worcestershire have access to local schools.”
However, last week the Observer reported concerns had been made over parking ‘chaos’ which could arise from the new school.
The new school will provide nine spaces for staff which was feared not to be enough and would create parking problems on Swinyard Road.
A report detailing the plans said there were concerns raised over the possibility of parents parking in front of houses on the busy road to drop off and pick up their children.
But the County Highways officer raised no objections with the county council saying there would be huge encouragement for youngsters to walk to school with parents.
