'Traffic danger' fears over plan to enlarge city primary school

Abbey Lane Primary School has submitted plans to Sheffield Council which would involve demolishing the temporary cabins and the extension that currently stand at either side of the school hall. Two single-storey extensions would then be built on either side of the school hall, a further extension would be built on the south-east corner of the school, and a large stand-alone extension covering would also be built behind the existing school, on what is currently a playground.

If the plans are given the go-ahead by councillors today, the school could become a three-form entry school rather than a two-form entry, which would meet the demand for additional primary school places in Woodseats and Beauchief.

Seven members of the public have objected to the plans, saying that the "very narrow streets" of the surrounding road network could not cope with the traffic generated by an additional 200 pupils at the school.

One parent of children at the school has objected to part of the playground being lost to an extension and said: "There is already a lack of space for the present number of children, so a further 200 and a loss of land due to a new building is obviously going to be a problem."

Another parent said: "As a parent who walks her child to the school, it is obvious that even now the highway network in the vicinity of the school is congested and that the area already suffers from inconsiderate parking and inappropriate vehicular movements associated with the school run.

"These factors currently endanger pupils and other non-motorised users and will only worsen with the proposed development and increase in pupil numbers."

A further objection has come from an opponent to the scheme who says that the design of the building seems "rushed" and has "not taken into account the significant impact on children's learning."

Critics add that a lack of play space outside will "have a significant impact on the children" and the proposed classrooms in the new extensions are too small.

Planning officers, however, are advising councillors to grant planning permission for the development because it would "allow Abbey Lane School to expand within a contained site to meet the demand of the local community."

They add: "The design and layout is considered to be acceptable in that a flat-roofed, contemporary scheme is proposed, which would be a contrast to the red-brick symmetrical design of the existing school.

"It is accepted that there would be increased pressure on parking at the beginning and end of the school day and that there would be a reduction in the amount of play space available on site.

"However, the benefits in education provision for children outweighs this."

At the same planning committee meeting this afternoon, councillors have also been recommended to grant planning permission for a new community centre and offices on the site of the former Anns Grove Primary School in Lowfield. The buildings in question have been vacant since the primary school – which supports these new proposals – moved to new buildings adjacent to the site.

If granted planning permission, the Spencer, Gleadless and Hartley buildings would be transformed into a community hall, offices for small businesses, artists' studios, meeting rooms, a creche, a separate hall for dance classes and the "Recycle" bike repair enterprise.

City planners are backing the scheme, saying the development would "have an acceptable impact on the amenities of neighbouring occupiers."