Copthorne Barracks developers told to help fund education in Shrewsbury
Developers in Shrewsbury will be told must provide funding for schools so they can cope with an increase in pupil numbers caused by plans to redevelop the town's Copthorne Barracks.
Shropshire Council's learning and skills department says the housing scheme could result in an extra 56 pupils needing places at nearby primary and secondary schools.
The department says the company behind the redevelopment would need to pay towards the cost of these additional places, or facilities needed to cope with the increase in pupil numbers.
Last month the Ministry of Defence submitted an application to build 174 houses and 45 retirement units on the site. As part of the application process a number of local authority departments are consulted.
In its response the Shropshire Council learning and skills department warned that the development, along with others in the area, would put pressure on local schools.
It said: "This development along with others in the West of Shrewsbury will cause future capacity pressures for the local primary and secondary schools.
"We forecast this development will yield 31 primary pupils and 25 secondary pupils. It is therefore essential that the developers of this and any new housing in this area contribute towards the consequential cost of any additional places/facilities considered necessary at those schools."
The department has recommended that a 106 agreement or a community infrastructure levy (CIL) is used to address the "capacity pressures from the development".
Copthorne councillor Peter Nutting said the council would need to ensure it receives funding towards schooling as part of the development.
He said: "Schools are always an issue in that part of town. We do have a site to develop a school there a bit further out, but we do not have any money so it is within our rights to ask for a CIL contribution for a school."
Councillor Nutting has also called for some homes on the site to be reserved for former members of the armed forces.
He said: "I believe that with any social housing, the first nomination rights should go to ex-servicemen, which I believe has happened at other Ministry of Defence developments around the country."
Councillor Nutting has also reiterated a call for a rethink over the open space to be included in the development.
He said: "Another major concern is open space provision. I am keen to retain a decent section of open space, whereas what's proposed at the moment is messy and bitty."
