Fears over school bid

Plans to build a school in a village near Kidderminster could be rejected – a move which it is feared will sound the "death knell" for the area.

The scheme is for a new 210-pupil facility in Chaddesley Corbett after a review found that the existing school was too small to accommodate the demands placed on it.

Hopes are high for the new school to be built as the old Chaddesley Corbett Lower School may be forced to close due to the findings and pupils sent out of the village for their education.

But planning officials have recommended the new school building be rejected on the grounds it will cause an increase in traffic on neighbouring roads, especially near the adjacent Rowberry Nurseries at Lower Chaddesley.

But Councillor Steven Clee, a member of Worcestershire County Council and Wyre Forest District Council, said: "Without the school, the village would die." He has now urged planning bosses to ignore the recommendations of council officials and approve the building of the school.

"No school would mean no sustainable village life for Chaddesley. It would sound the death knell for the area," he added.

Other concerns over the site are that such a development would ruin the landscape in the green belt.

Campaigners say it is the best site and an access from the A448 would be created.

The existing school site has been open since 1894.

Wyre Forest District Council's planning development control committee will vote on the application on November 13.