Wrexham Primary School to be Demolished & Replaced With Modern Facility

A primary school in Wrexham which dates back to the 1950s could be demolished and replaced with a modern facility if planning approval is given the go ahead.

In planning proposals submitted to Wrexham Council it has been proposed that Gwenfro CP School in Caia Park is demolished, with a new community primary school constructed on the site.

The school itself was constructed in the 1950s and caters for children aged between four and eleven.

It is proposed that the new school is constructed on the north west corner of the existing site and will be based on the EFA (Education Funding Agency) baseline design for 420 pupil primary school.

Nursery provision of 45 spaces and 19 SEN spaces would also be provided.

Within the application’s accompanying document it is noted that the actual development of the site will be ‘phased’, with demolition of the current school not taking place until the construction of the new building has been completed.

Improved play spaces would also be provided, including ‘some external spaces to enable the development of learning through play for the foundation years’.

In relation to the current facilities, the application’s Design and Access Statement continues onto read: “The existing premises are not currently suitable for the development of lifelong education and community services. The proposals offer the best balance between providing effective education in efficient and environmentally sustainable  buildings.”

The development would also see an increase in the number of parking spaces available at the site, with 46 proposed for the site. An increase from the 24 available at the current school.

Details of the history of the school are provided within the application’s Design and Access Statement, which notes: “The existing school buildings were constructed in the 1950s to provide general education for years group 4-11 and to serve the expanding population of of the Caia Park area of Wrexham.

“The buildings are now reaching a critical point in their life cycle where the energy costs and repair costs are becoming significant and increasingly less sustainable.

“The pre-existing Gwenfro infant and junior schools were amalgamated in 2007 to form the new Gwenfro Community Primary School.”