New flatpack classrooms could be built for Derbyshire school
Plans have been submitted
Three flatpack classrooms could be built at a Derbyshire primary school struggling for space due to surrounding housing developments.
Plans have been submitted by Derbyshire County Council to build the new classrooms at Hunloke Park Primary School in Longedge Lane, Wingerworth.
Documents written by Concertus, a company jointly run by the county council and Suffolk County Council, say the school currently has capacity for 208 pupils aged four to 11 but has 235 on roll.
There is said to be an overall shortage of space of 71 square metres, based on the amount of space required per pupil, in line with national regulations.
A decision will be made by Derbyshire County Council in the next few months. It will have to go to the authority’s own planning committee due to it being its own application.
Concertus writes: “The school’s catchment area is centred on Wingerworth and its surrounding area.
“This catchment accommodates several new residential developments which have placed additional pressure upon the school’s capacity.
“The development’s purpose is to alleviate existing classroom pressures due to the school’s existing accommodation constraints.
“The scheme will consolidate improved facilities in a single location whilst addressing an overall shortfall in classroom accommodation.”
It says the plans will not see the school admitting more pupils but should give it the ability to properly cater for the number of children it is already responsible for.
Concertus writes that there is a long-standing arrangement to allow parents and guardians to park at the All Saints’ Church parish hall car park during pick-up and drop-off.
A letter from the church confirms it is “happy” to continue this arrangement, saying: “We want to keep our families and children safe so are happy to play our part in helping the community in this way.”
The plans will see a three-classroom block built on part of the existing outdoor play area, which will be rebuilt elsewhere on the site.
This block would also include a lobby and cloakroom area, toilets and a small storage room.
A number of trees on the site will be cut down to make way for the proposed development – both the new building and relocated play area – with replacement trees being planted.