West Kirby school extension plans create divide

Mar 5 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Hoylake and West Kirby News

A BLUE stainless steel extension planned for St Bridget’s Primary School in West Kirby has caused deep concern with its neighbours.

The school’s planning application for the erection of a new classroom and reception extension was submitted to Wirral Council on February 13.

This application comes after the school lost classroom space at its neighbouring church which is due to be refurbished.

St Bridget’s Primary School’s headteacher Richard Vaughan said: “Our first priority is accommodation for the children and our second is car parking spaces for parents and staff.

“We will be taking up 12 spaces with the extension and we want to replace them with a surface that allows grass to grow through it in St Bridget’s Lane.”

Matt Reed, of Ludlow Drive, is the school’s closest neighbour. He said: “The school has spent tens of thousands of pounds of council tax payers’ money on a very expensive Altrincham-based architects practice, Pozzoni, for a masterplan.

“However, the school has made no effort whatsoever to engage with the local community or to discuss with its neighbours about the possible impact of the scheme.

“The new extension has nothing whatsoever in common with the style of the West Kirby Old Village conservation area that it sits in.

“In addition to this, the plans involve 12 new car parking spaces outside the school gate on what is now green space.”

Mr Reed’s wife, Dawn Reed, said: “Traffic around the school is already a nightmare and this plan will mean the children having to walk through a car park to get to school.”

Cllr Jeff Green said: “I will work with Mr Vaughan to see whether there is a way of achieving what he wants without losing green space and upsetting the residents close by.”

Public consultation will end on March 21.