School expansion plan angers residents

9:10pm Friday 25th July 2008

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FAMILIES whose homes neighbour a thriving Chippenham school have objected to expansion plans.

Hardenhuish Secondary School wants to add another storey onto its science block and create a 27 bay car park.

But residents living close to the school have slammed the plans.

North Wiltshire District Council planners will decide the fate of the scheme next week.

Neighbours have tried to lobby against the plans saying that the car park goes against the green image the school professes to have.

Peter Lakeland, who lives in Portal Close, which backs onto the school, said: “It is as though the school is encouraging its own pupils to drive to school making the roads more congested and yet it tries to be seen as going green.

“We have no objection to the school expanding, but it is just as if they are saying one thing and doing another. I think people are concerned about the mixed messages.

“The school did hold a public meeting earlier this year, but it was held at 4pm meaning many local people were unable to attend.”

The school was granted permission for a nine-metre high wind turbine last year in a bid to become more environmentally friendly.

Prospective parliamentary candidate for Chippenham Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones has also expressed concern over the plans.

He said: “Additional parking space would seem to fly in the face of the school’s efforts to become environmentally friendly. Putting up a wind turbine should not give licence to forget your environmental responsibilities.”

In paperwork prepared for councillors officers suggested that the newest plans should be granted if the school could produce more details about the landscaping that will go alongside the newly formed car park.

Deputy head Jan Hatherell said: “During February we had an overflow of sixth form students who often park in the street in Long Ridings.

“To be good neighbours we thought we would use this area, which is often used as a temporary car park for open days, as a car park. It will have the appearance of a grassy area - it will not be a multi-storey car park.”