Is expansion on the cards for Sidley School?
PLANS to expand Sidley Primary School have moved another step foward.
The county council has agreed to publish statutory notices to more than double the size of the school and move it to Gunters Lane - the former Bexhill High School year seven building.
The decision was made by ESCC’s lead member for learning and school effectiveness, Cllr Nick Bennett, following public consultation.
At a meeting last week, Cllr Bennett was told 1,200 consultation documents were distributed between November and December, but only a small number of replies were received.
In the 66 responses which came back, views were mixed.
Of those who raised concerns the main issue was traffic and parking in Gunters Lane.
Cllr Bennett said: “The reality is we have to do something to create more school places in Bexhill. The projections show we will have a shortfall of school places in the town in the future and so it’s really important we plan now and look to increase the spaces we have.
“Having issued 1,200 consultation documents, I’m a little disappointed that only a very small number of people responded.
“I recognise some have raised concerns about traffic in Gunters Lane and those will be examined by the design team as we develop this project.”
The expansion of Sidley was part of the solution to the issue, he added, while a smaller expansion of St Mary Magdalene was also being discussed and considered.
Cllr Bennett said: “I’m really pleased these plans have the support of Sidley School and we have earmarked more than £1m to address the school place shortfall in Bexhill.
“We’ve worked with schools in the area to consider various options for school expansion and these are the proposals that make most sense.”
The need for extra school places was highlighted in a previous report, which showed birth rates in Bexhill have increased by 27 per cent in four years, from 289 in 2004/05 to 368 in 2008/09,.
The report said in future there might not be enough school places to meet demand.
The publication of statutory notices means a further four -week period of formal consultation, known as the representation period, will take place.
A final decision on the proposals will be taken in April.
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Monday 28 May 2012
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