Salford Council has unanimously approved plans for a new secondary school at Little Hulton.
Proposals for the new facility on the playing fields of an old high school west of Longshaw Drive demolished in 2009 were up for debate at the planning committee meeting this morning (January 20).
The two-story school will accommodate up to 750 students, with access off Longshaw Drive, and will feature all-weather outdoor courts and outdoor recreation areas for students and staff.
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The site will have an 88-space car park and 48-space bicycle storage facility, and the school is expected to employ between 90 and 100 staff. The plans were drawn up by Wates Construction Ltd.
A new school is to be built in Little Hulton. Credit: Salford Council
Only three letters of objection were received by Salford Council regarding the application. Concerns raised included the school overlooking nearby residential buildings, the noise level of the new school and the loss of the site, which is currently popular with dog walkers.
Funding for the new school is said to come from the government’s Department of Education.
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What was said at the meeting?
During the planning debate on the application, councilors understood local residents’ concerns about noise and traffic in relation to pick-up and drop-off times at the school, but argued that local residents were “well versed” as the site previously housed a secondary school was ‘ in the reality of living near a school.
Count Tanya Burch said: “It’s good to see that as our city grows, so does our population. We need more schools. I understand residents’ concerns about noise and traffic – these are undoubtedly problems around any school.
“It’s good to hear that the school is committed to the social mobility of its students.”
Count Philip Cusack added: “I welcome this application and the development here. I think good schooling here in Salford is not only necessary but should be encouraged and having these facilities in areas like this is vital to the development of Salford.
“I do think the exterior design is a bit utilitarian, I would like to see a little more flair in the design of schools in the future, but I don’t think that’s enough of a reason to say no.”
The Salford Council planning panel unanimously approved the application.