01/07/10 - More School Places as School Expansion Begins

Work has begun to expand St Francis C of E Primary School in Taw Hill after approval was granted by Swindon Borough Council's Planning Committee. All three Abbey Meads ward councillors have given a cautious welcome to the development, although they've insisted on being consulted over the final landscaping, use of materials and natural planting.

St Francis is building a new two-storey block with eight classrooms on land that had originally been designated for a church.

The school will also extend its community room, assembly hall and kitchens, andcreate a 29-space public car park on land that had previously been earmarked for a community centre.

Abbey Meads ward Councillor Vera Tomlinson is vice-chair of the Planning Committee, and fellow ward councillor Peter Heaton-Jones is also a member. Howeverthey both "declared an interest" and did nottake part in thedecisionbecause of their close connections with local residents who would be directly affected by the development.

Cllr Tomlinson said, "This extension was needed due to the rapidly expanding population of North Swindon, meaning there's a lack of primary school places for children there. We have been fighting for manyyears for there to be more school places in the area so it's good news that this is now happening.

"However I and my fellow ward councillors will be keeping a close eye on the final look of the development because many local residents have expressed concern. The Committee imposed a number of conditions on the approval. The school will pay 20,000 for a pedestrian crossing and provide 15,000 towards traffic management in the area".

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