Wolverhampton Grammar set to get nod for new primary school

Wolverhampton Grammar School wants to build the school for 264 pupils on land currently occupied by playing fields on its site in Compton Road. And at a meeting on Tuesday, Wolverhampton's planning committee recommended to give the green light to the proposals, subject to conditions.

The historic school site opened in 1512. Under plans, the new primary school, which will cost between £3-4 million, will accommodate 264 pupils aged between four and eight.

The building would include 12 classrooms, a school hall and admin space over two storeys.

Around 20 jobs will be created for teachers, teaching assistants and maintenance staff.

It will feature a dedicated entrance that can be accessed from Gamesfield Green, off Merridale Road. Bosses hope to start work on the school in the autumn with a view to opening in September 2017.

The plans have been met with objection from residents, with a total of 63 letters of objection received, including an objection from Councillor Craig Collingswood.

Neighbours have also raised concerns about insufficient parking, highway and pedestrian safety, loss of open space, poor design, the impact upon the amenity of residents and anti-social behaviour.

However, a report to the city's planning committee recommends that the service director of city economy be given delegated authority to grant planning subject to a number of conditions, including highway improvements and that a compensatory playing field be provided.

The report states: "The proposals would result in the loss of a rugby/football pitch. As compensation for this loss it is proposed to accommodate a rugby pitch through the reconfiguration of existing playing fields to the north-west, and provision of a grass mini-football pitch and an artificial five-a-side floodlight pitch, which would be made available for use by the public, as required by Sport England."