PLANNING chiefs have unanimously approved the expansion of a Northwich school, but the scheme could be referred to the Secretary of State if a government body does not remove its objection.

Cheshire West and Chester’s planning committee rubber-stamped an application for new facilities at The County High School Leftwich which includes an extension to allow it to permanently increase its pupil intake from 195 a year to 210.

A new multi-use games area (MUGA) would also be built to replace the disused cricket nets and practice area, although the nature of the design has resulted in an objection being raised by Sport England - the arms length government organisation responsible for developing grassroots sport.

The school on Granville Road has an outstanding Ofsted rating and is currently oversubscribed. The additional single-storey new school building with four classrooms, relocated main school reception, offices, staff facilities, toilets and meeting room.

There will also be new vehicle access, changes to the parking area - including creating four electric vehicle charging spaces - and 60 cycle spaces for staff and pupils, along with an outside dining area with picnic tables.

Once construction is complete, total pupil numbers rise from 1,010 to 1,050, with staff numbers rising from 125 to 130.

But in a statement read out at the meeting, Leftwich councillor Andrew Cooper said that while he supported the principle of the school’s expansion, he had concerns about the impact of parking, traffic and transport on local residents.

He said: “At the school dropping-off time, London Road, Dunham Road and Granville Road are way over capacity.  Cars mount the pavement to get around each other.  The bus is frequently held at the end of Granville Road.  Cycling through all this is extremely hazardous.

“The reality of this is that it is my residents – who predominantly walk to school, living close to it – who suffer the consequences of the air pollution, and it is my residents who cannot get off the estate to get to work.”

Council officers told the committee that it was a ‘typical school problem’ and was 'not going to go away anytime soon outside of any school'. They also said the extra traffic amounted to around 10 extra vehicle movements at peak times which they called ‘negilgible’.

Sport England had objected to the plans over design and layout of the MUGA, wanting a report on grass pitch improvements and for further consideration about the hours set aside for community use.

Officers said there was scope for Sport England withdrawing its objection if it was satisfied with the response, but if not, the application would have to be referred to the secretary of state.

Committee member Cllr Jill Houlbrook accused Sport England of ‘trying to punch a little above their weight’.

She told the meeting: “I have to ask myself the question, are we likely to reject facilities to educate our young people purely on the objections of Sport England because they don’t feel the MUGA is the right size or design, and they’re concerned about tennis courts and community use which I think can be resolved outside planning?”