Demolition and revamp of 'sub-standard' school block likely to get nod

The new two-storey building in the pipeline at Barr Beacon School will create 29 classrooms - six more than the current block.

If planning consent is granted by Walsall Council the existing building at the Old Hall Lane site will be replaced by tennis courts and the new facility will be constructed onto a plot of green belt land within school grounds.

The authority's conservation officers has branded the scheme 'inappropriate development in the green belt' but overall development officials say the benefits of the building meet the special circumstances required to meet national planning laws.

The council's planning committee will make a decision on the proposal on Thursday.

A report prepared for the meeting states: "Notwithstanding the objections raised by the council's conservation officer regarding impact on the character of the Conservation Area such as openness, it is considered that the proposed classroom block would provide an acceptable modern embellishment to the existing built form of the school complex.

"The proposed school extension would be largely screened by existing boundary planting and seen against the backdrop of existing buildings on the site.

"On balance, it is considered that the benefits of an improved education provision outweigh any potential harm to the character of the Conservation Area in this instance. "

Planning agents on behalf of the school simply argued: "The proposal will provide Barr Beacon School with a new classroom block to current guideline standards, replacing existing sub-standard classrooms over two floors."

The council's education chief Councillor Christ Towe, who also represents the local Pheasey ward where the school is based, spoke in favour of the plans.

He said: "It's an excellent school, headteacher Dame Maureen Brennan has done a lot of good work to turn it around because it wasn't in a good place when she took over but now it is excellent.

"I am in support of anything she is trying to do there to make sure the young people have a better opportunity.

"I have heard no complaints from residents about the plans."

Councillor Towe added: "I was there about two months ago and the school looked in good order to me. I didn't have any concerns about it when I went around.

"The children seemed well looked after and I am more than happy to support the proposal."

The school received an Ofsted report two years, rating it as outstanding. At the time it had 1,528 pupils.