Mine shafts delay multi-million Fibbersley Park Primary School expansion
The go-ahead for a multi-million pound school expansion in Willenhall has been delayed by safety fears over mine shafts sitting beneath the site.
Costs for the proposed extension at Fibbersley Park Primary School have already been put at £3.9 million – more than it was originally expected to cost.
Now the Coal Authority, a government body which manages the effects of former coal mining, said a council assessment had 'failed to sufficiently consider the potential risks' of building on the ground.
And the authority concluded there was a 'negligible risk to human health' if a 'scheme of drilling and grouting' was carried out.
As a result council officers have recommended the plan is delegated to the head of its planning, engineering and transportation department to approve the school – but said the Coal Authority's fears must be overcome first.
The proposals have already had to be altered by Walsall Council because of fears newts living at the site would have been affected.
If built the two-storey extension at the front of the school would provide six extra classrooms, toilets, office, a food technology room, a library and a bigger assembly hall.
Bosses want to build there to deal with an increase in demand for places because of high birth rates locally – even though the school was only built on Noose Lane 10 years ago.
Councillor Carl Creaney, who represents Willenhall South, said there was a desperate need for new school places in the area.
He said: "Some children can travel up to four miles away. They can go to Darlaston, more into Walsall, New Invention.
Fibbersley Park's reception would expand to accommodate 90 children – up from 60 at the moment – if the plans are approved.
Under the plans the school's car park would also be upgraded. It currently has six disabled spaces and 53 standard spaces, with a drop-off point for seven cars.
The improved one would have 59 standard spaces along with a new drop-off area, which would also serve for disabled parking.
Fibbersley Park was one of three Walsall schools handed nearly £8m of funding to cope with increasing demand last year.
The others were King Charles Primary School in Bentley and Christ Church C of E Primary School in Leamore.
