Go-ahead for north Shropshire school expansion scheme

Expansion plans at a north Shropshire school, which has experienced growing demand for places from military families, have been given the go-ahead by planning officials.

A new classroom will be built at Buntingsdale Infant and Nursery School in Tern Hill, which currently has just over 50 pupils, as part of an expansion into an all-through primary school.

The school, close to Clive Barracks, home of 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, is one of the only ones in the county to have been expanded as part of Shropshire Council’s education overhaul which saw several schools close elsewhere across the county.

Because the school is so close to the barracks, demand for places is strong from families connected to the Army base.

It is hoped the new bigger school will improve stability for Army families. Until now, the school only catered for pupils up to the age of seven, but from September children can stay at the school until 11.

Shropshire Council’s learning and skills department applied for planning permission for a new classroom, toilets, a new entrance ramp and a circular corridor linking the new and existing classrooms.

Part of the design includes a low window to assist with teaching the nursery children that would use the new classroom.

Shirehall development manager Ian Kilby said: “The expansion of the age range and facilities within the school will enable the long term retention of this important community facility and is supported in principle.

“The proposed scale, design and appearance of the extension will respect the existing character of the school building and will not result in any detrimental impact on neighbouring properties.”

Work is expected to start in October, with the first phase complete in January.

The second phase of works would begin in early 2013.