New Bowerhill primary school plans stalled?

QUESTIONS have been raised about the progress of plans to build a new primary school in Bowerhill. 

As part of the new Pathfinder Place development in Bowerhill, land has been allocated to build a new primary school. The housing developers have also given a financial contribution, as part of the planning permission agreement, to Wiltshire Council to help build the school – but Melksham Without Parish Council has warned that it is not enough. 

The parish council has raised concerns that children in Bowerhill are already having to travel to get to school, as the current primary school in the village has a lack of capacity, even before a lot of the homes being built are occupied. 

Wiltshire Council told Melksham News that they are planning to “commence the design” of the new school this year.

However, Melksham Without Parish Council’s clerk, Teresa Strange said, “Children are living on the new housing developments now and they are going to schools not in Bowerhill. Therefore, they are walking across ‘A’ roads, which are dangerous. So, they are being driven to school instead, which doesn’t contribute to the green agenda – something Wiltshire Council has been promoting.”

The delay has also concerned local residents who assumed – because the 235 houses and the school were part of the same planning application – the two would be built together. The Pathfinder Place houses are now being built but there is no sign of the school.

In response to the concerns, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for education and skills, cllr Laura Mayes, told Melksham News, “There are a number of housing developments being built in Melksham at present. The land at Spa Road development (450 new homes) falls within the catchment area of Forest and Sandridge School and a planning application has already been submitted to expand the school by 105 places. The expansion will be funded by monies secured for this purpose alone in the Section 106 Agreement with the developer. This Section 106 Agreement was negotiated and signed prior to the Pathfinder Way development being proposed.

“Elsewhere in Melksham, we have secured a site for a new two-form entry primary school on the Pathfinder Way development. Financial contributions are being sought towards this new school from all other new developments in the town.  

“Each developer can only be asked to fund the additional places required to support their own development. To date, funding to provide 62 places at the school has been secured, with a further 124 possible from outstanding planning applications/appeals. The council submits current and forecast pupil data to the Department of Education every year to secure Basic Need grant funding to create additional pupil places. This can be used to make up any financial shortfall.  

“At present, there are sufficient places in the existing schools to meet demand. In September 2021, there were 255 reception places available, of which 210 were filled by applicants.  

“Across the existing schools there are over 150 surplus places, with places available in all year groups. As new housing is completed over the next few years, these places will fill. The expansion at Forest and Sandridge Primary School will initially create an additional 105 places to meet demand in the locality.  

“The new school will be brought forward when further places are required as opening it too soon would have a detrimental impact on the existing schools in the town. The council is however planning to commence the design of the new school this year.”