Plans to increase pupil numbers at Barkers Lane set to go ahead

Plans to increase the capacity of a local primary school by more than 100 pupils look set to be approved.

Executive board members will be asked to give the go ahead to extending Barkers Lane in Borras at their meeting on Tuesday morning.

It comes after a statutory consultation over the proposals – which include increasing capacity by a further 105 pupils – came to an end.

The first year of the increase would be September 2020, with nursery and reception classes each taking an extra 15 pupils.

The annual admission number will increase by 15 places (from 30 to 45) for nursery and reception places from 2020 onwards and these classes will feed through the school until the maximum capacity of 315 (plus 45 nursery places) has been reached.

It is hoped that these proposals will not only reduce infant class sizes at Barker’s Lane CP, but also alleviate the current pressures on town centre schools.

Wrexham Council that the move will also help meet Welsh Government aspirations to reduce primary school class sizes by physically providing more places.

However the proposals have been met with some objection from local residents, with nine objections and a petition consisting of 24 signatures submitted to the council.

These included concerns over traffic and parking, the environmental impact and planning issues.

Addressing comments over increased congestion in the area, Wrexham Council say: “It is recognised that parking issues at pick up and drop off times are an issue around almost every school within the County Borough.

“However, new proposals have always considered this issue and aim to mitigate the impact.

“Should this proposal go ahead it is intended that a scheme is submitted for detailed planning permission and officers would consult with the planning authority to ensure that a suitable solution is developed in order to minimise any impact caused.”

Full responses to the objections received can be viewed in full here.

The report will go before executive board members at 10am on Tuesday 9th July. The meeting will also be webcast live on the Wrexham Council website.