Planners urged to approve academy
Controversial plans for a new academy school to swallow up more than half of a Black Country park look set to be given the go-ahead, it was revealed today.
Controversial plans for a new academy school to swallow up more than half of a Black Country park look set to be given the go-ahead, it was revealed today.
Council officers have recommended the application to see large chunks of George Rose Park handed to the new Grace Academy in Darlaston be approved at a meeting tonight.
Put forward on behalf of Seymour Harris Architecture, the proposals would see the creation of a new boundary that will involve 52 per cent of the green space lost for the 1,500 place replacement of the former Darlaston Community Science College.
The work, which will also feature new sports facilities, is not due to be completed until 2012.
The academy was opened in September, replacing the school. It is the third Grace Academy in the country, run by millionaire and Evangelical Christian Bob Edmiston after receiving the backing of Walsall council's cabinet in spring.
Around £300,000 is to be spent on revamping the remaining land of the Darlaston park.
A report to the council's development control committee, which will decide on the 'change of use' application tonight, explains a further 'redevelopment' application will also have to go before councillors at a later date.
It states: "The plan seeks to improve education facilities, parks and open spaces. The conclusion is reached that the terms of this decision achieve those objectives.
"The proposed fence raises detailed issues about wildlife, levels and the protection of an adjoining dwelling. These are addressed through conditions.
"A landscape scheme is inappropriate inside the new fencing and, again, is addresses through a condition. Public reaction to this application has also attracted comments about the wider redevelopment scheme.
"This is not part of this application and these comments need to be considered separately, in relation to any redevelopment application that may come forward."
A statement submitted as part of the change of use application says: "To facilitate the required site area a number of permutations were explored to utilise part of the existing George Rose Park in the expanded school grounds, thereby allowing flexibility in the development of the school and grounds, while maintaining continuity of education within the existing school building and site."
