Residents asked for their views on school

PEOPLE are being given the chance to air their views on designs for a new primary school in Craven.

North Yorkshire County Council’s property consultants, Jacobs, have prepared initial designs in consultation with High Bentham Community Primary School, for a proposed new primary school in Low Bentham Road.

The school would be environmentally efficient, accessible for people with disabilities and provide facilities for use by the local community, said the council.

Parents and residents in the area can see the proposals for the new school later this month and are being invited to share their views.

County Councillor John Watson, North Yorkshire’s executive member for schools, said: “The architect is designing a building which aims to blend in with the surrounding landscape and also reflect the history of the Bentham area. Most importantly, the design would offer 21st century facilities for the children, families and communities of High and Low Bentham.”

An informal exhibition of proposals for the new school will be held on September 9 from 2pm-4pm at High Bentham Community Primary School and from 4.30pm-6.30pm at Bentham Town Hall.

County Councillor David Ireton, member for North Craven, said: “A new school has been long awaited by the communities of High and Low Bentham and all concerned have worked hard to bring about the scheme we now have before us.

“We want to hear the views of parents and residents in order to build a school that everybody can be proud of and which will produce the best outcomes for local children.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted later in the autumn.

Coun Watson and Coun Ireton added that while the county council is reviewing all spending commitments a new primary school for Bentham is regarded as a high priority for the county council and that “all will be done that can be done to develop the scheme”.