New primary school for Hednesford set to get the go-ahead

The proposed school at Pye Green Road in Hednesford, which will teach more than 200 pupils and boast a nursery, has been recommended for approval by Cannock Chase planning officers.

The council's planning committee will meet to discuss the plans on Wednesday where it is expected they will follow officer's recommendations and approve the plans.

Once approved work can begin on the site, with the school earmarked for opening in September 2019. It is part of a larger masterplan for the area by developer St Modwen, which will include 700 homes and shops.

Staffordshire County Council is behind the scheme but it will be looking for a sponsor to run the school, which will need to be selected by the Department for Education once the 2017 General Election has passed.

The 210-place school will have a 26-space nursery, a hard-surfaced games area, grass playing fields and staff car parking.

The county council argues the new school is needed due to St Modwen's major 142-acre housing development.

Mark Sutton, the council's cabinet member for children and young people said: “Demand for primary school places has increased across Staffordshire, and with the new housing developments currently being built at Pye Green, it’s clear that a new primary school is needed so parents still have the option to send their children to a good, local school.

"The proposed new school will have space for more than 200 pupils, and will go a long way to alleviating the pressure on school places in the Cannock area.”

The school will be funding by the county council with contributions from St Modwen through a section 106 agreement.

Councillor George Adamson, the leader of Cannock Chase District Council, welcomed the plans but said concerns had been raised with him over a lack of parking on the site.

He told the Express & Star: "I am pleased with the plans, Hednesford needs a new school with the new housing development. But I have had people talk to me about the lack of parking on the site, that is the only concern I have.

"We need the new school with the houses that are being built but we need to make sure the children get there safe."