County council green lights Newark primary school extension
The project, which will be led by the county council, will see pupil numbers increase from 210 to 420 to help meet growing demand for school places
Nottinghamshire County Council’s planning and rights of way committee has approved a single-storey extension to be built at Chuter Ede Fernwood Primary School in the Fernwood area of Newark.
The project, which will be led by the county council and Arc Partnership, a joint venture between the council and SCAPE, will see pupil numbers increase from 210 to 420 to help meet growing demand for school places in an area where new housing continues to be built.
Eight classrooms will be built as part of the application at the Hunters Road school, and will include additional sports pitches for rounders and football, a running track and two hard PE courts.
The development would include extending the existing staff car park from 16 to 39 spaces, while there will be provision for EV charging points. Solar panels are also proposed on the extension’s roof.
Arc Partnership will design, deliver and cost manage the improvement scheme.
Cllr Ben Bradley, cabinet member for education and SEND, said: “I’m fully supportive of this expansion project and it comes at an exciting time for school developments in Nottinghamshire, with expansions and improvements planned and taking place across the county.
“This forms part of our ongoing commitment to ensure all children in Nottinghamshire have access to the best education. A key ambition of this council is to build and expand schools and there is no better investment than securing a good education for our young people.”
He added: “I’m sure this is very welcome news for families in this part of Newark and I look forward to the project getting underway.”
Chuter Ede Fernwood, which is an annex of Chuter Ede Primary School at Balderton, was built in 2012 to service the growing number of children from the new Fernwood estate. The new development will be delivered in three phases, with the application for this extension the third phase.
The first two phases have been implemented and, in addition to the original school building in phase one, have seen the creation of a sports field, outdoor play area, car parking and landscaping.