A primary school where 120 pupils have been taught for four years in cabins on the site’s car park is set to build a two-storey extension.
Gaskell Community Primary School on Thomas Holden Street, Bolton, plan to create a permanent four classroom block to accommodate the children and staff who are currently using the temporary buildings.
According to planning documents submitted this week to Bolton Council, accommodation issues at the school date back to September 2018, when an expansion created an additional 105 primary school places.
The additional pupils and staff have since been using four classrooms in modular cabins.
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In 2019, an application was made for a six classroom extension but this application was never granted planning permission due to several objections over the location and lack of supporting information.
A design and access statement from the school said: “There are currently four temporary classrooms accommodating up to 120 pupils located on the school car park.
“The school staff are currently parking within the adjacent church car park to the north. However, the temporary classrooms are to be removed and car park reinstated on completion of the new build and refurbishment works.
“The cabins were supposed to be a short term measure and there is a growing need to provide a permanent extension and necessary internal remodelling to meet a two form curriculum.
“It is proposed to erect a two storey four classroom extension, plus internal refurbishment and remodelling to provide the recommended teaching accommodation outlined by the Department for Education.
The school currently has 410 primary children and 50 nursery along with 27 full time and 38 part time staff. Planners at Bolton Council will consider the plans after a neighbour consultation.
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