From next September, the annual reception year intake at the school is set to increase from 30 to 60 children
Plans to double the number of pupils at a Preston primary school are to go ahead – in spite of concerns the move poses a road safety risk. A public consultation was launched in September into the proposed expansion of Goosnargh Oliverson’s Church of England Primary.
Overall, 76% of the 128 respondents strongly disagreed with the plans, with an even greater proportion – 84% – expressing fears over an increase in the volume of traffic in the vicinity of the school and the resultant impact on road safety. A meeting of Lancashire County Council’s cabinet was told that two-thirds of the responses raised specific concerns about limited parking in the area – even with just the current pupil numbers.
Concern is also expressed in the petition about the potential loss of the “strong community feeling” engendered by the school if it doubles in size. Meanwhile, almost a third of those who responded to the consultation suggested the expansion could affect its “ethos and educational standards”. Michelle Woodburn, vice-chair of Whittingham Parish Council, condemned the decision to press on with the plans in the face of public opposition.
Since 2022, the need for places across both the Goosnargh and Grimsargh, and Longridge school place planning areas has been assessed collectively, because of what the county council says is the “cumulative impact” of additional housing and the “limited scope” to expand any of the existing primary schools in Longridge.
A further 27% of those against the changes were identified as “interested member of the local community”.
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