Plans formally submitted for extension and redevelopment works at Wrexham primary school

Plans to extend a local primary school have been formally submitted.

Last summer members of Wrexham Council’s executive board gave the go ahead to increase the capacity of Barker’s Lane Community School, in Borras, by a further 105 pupils.

The annual admission number will increase by 15 places (from 30 to 45) for nursery and reception places and these classes will eventually feed through the school until the maximum capacity of 315 (plus 45 nursery places) has been reached.

At the time it was noted that the proposals will help reduce infant class sizes at Barker’s Lane CP and also alleviate the current pressures on town centre schools.

However concerns were raised at the time by local residents over the environmental impact of the works along with increased pressure on traffic and parking in the area.

Now an application for the redevelopment have been formally submitted to Wrexham Council’s planning department for consideration.

The proposals include an extension which would house a new nursery and reception area with associated ancillary facilities to the north west of the school.

A smaller extension is proposed to the south east, with the school also undergoing both a refurbishment and internal remodelling. External works are also planned to create a new area of car parking along with “enhanced play areas”.

In terms of access to the site, details submitted by TACP Architects Ltd, state: “Current access to the site is from Barker’s Lane with vehicular access via the main gate to the school.

“Pedestrian access is either via the main gate or via three secondary pedestrian entrances, which are located in the vicinity of the junction between Barker’s Lane and Lisburne Grove and adjacent to Fernham Drive, respectively.

“The school will retain the main gate as an access point as well the other pedestrian entrances present on the site. Under this proposal all vehicular access is proposed to be via Lisburne Grove.

“This will require a new vehicular access point to be created. This new access will provide for both vehicles and pedestrians along with service access for deliveries and refuse collection.

“The new entrance will also be the sole access point for a new staff car park. The existing footpath on the site is also proposed to be enhanced and linked into this new access point.”

The applicants add: “This proposal provides enhanced school facilities along with additional provision to suit current and future needs. The proposed development is considered appropriate for the site and wider area.”

The proposals will be considered for approval by the local authority at a later date.