'Mega' primary schools are another consequence of the government's policy banning local authorities building new schools where needed. Instead councils are forced to expand existing schools, some as large as 5 forms of entry - 1,050 4-11 year olds in one building.
The expansion of Bryon Court Primary school was firmly rejected in the public consultation:
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The objections included:
The expansion of Bryon Court Primary school was firmly rejected in the public consultation:
The objections included:
Objectors include parents from the school, residents and Barry Gardiner MP. However Cabinet approved the scheme and the legal advice to the Planning Committee when the application is heard on Wednesday LINK will be that only planning issues should be taken into consideration.Affect child development and integration – including behaviour, language barriers and the impact of proposed ‘zoned areas’ in the expanded schoolImpact on the character and ethos of Byron Court
Reduce attention to pupils and affect school results
Impact on teaching standards
Limit facilities after expansion, especially green spaces for outdoor play and extra curricular activities
Affect education because of the building work
Over-expand an existing school when a new school should be built
Queries over the need for school places in Brent
Queries over the need for school spaces in the Sudbury Court Estate (SCE) – particularly in view of the new primary school at Wembley High Technical College
Health and safety considerations of expansion- particularly playground accidents and illness
Potential car accidents
Implications of long distance travel to school on parents and pupils
Noise, litter and wildlife
Suitability of the site for large development; particularly its residential nature, narrow roads and susceptibility to flooding
Traffic, congestion and pollution
The relationship between parents and staff
Effect of building work on residents
Potential to attract further regeneration, housing and leisure in Brent
Parking and inconsiderate parents
House value and amenities- especially the right to light and privacy
Previous promises from the school against expansion
The following extracts are from the current Planning Application:
Comments supporting the application have been received from the school and one individual householder.
The reasons for supporting the school expansion are set out below:
School expansion is needed to meet the increased population demands in the Borough.In contrast 1,469 people signed a petition expressing support for the ojections below:
The school has to teach some pupils off site in the Ashley Gardens annexe. These children wouldotherwise not have a school place.
School is suitable for expansion as it has OFSTED Outstanding status, teaching school accreditation, and has committed and talented staff and vision.
The school needs a canteen, a bigger hall and also the classrooms outside requires refurbishing.
Additional space and facilities will greatly enhance the teaching and learning opportunities and will provide children with a better environment in which to learn.
An objection has been received from Sudbury Court Residents Associatio raising the following items:
1. March Cabinet decision to proceed based on incorrect data - Primary driver for 5FE expansion no longer applicable
2. Adverse Traffic Impacts
3. Flooding risk: Proposed development will cause surface water / sewage flooding
5. Parental concerns regarding the expansion
6. Educational risk - Risk of jeopardizing Byron Court rating and standards
7. Highway regulations and Health & Safety compliance failure for proposed Nathans access.
8. Inadequate separation of new Nathans access from adjoining property.
9. There should be appropriate segregation between pedestrians and vehicles
10. Vast Majority of parents and residents opposed to proposal
11. Ecological concerns
12. Traffic problems expected during construction works.
The above objection is accompanied by a petition supporting the objections raised above. The petition is signed by 1469 persons.
Councillor Perrin- objections have been received on the following grounds:
Transportation and safety - congestion, cars parked illegally on yellows, no loading, school zig zags andof course the pavements and across (sometime in) driveways.
Failing to comply with Travel Plan - no school staff in the street at all.
Parents from Alperton and Wembley want a school place closer to home, so they do not need to drive.
Query on amount of runoff (using averages) that will flow into the sewers and changes to local groundwater/table.
Proposal should comply with SUDS policy