By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a multi-million pound primary school for 315 children in a Nottinghamshire village have been approved.
Proposals for a new school in East Leake have been in the making for some time due to the growing need for more education places as hundreds of new homes are built in the area.
An application for the school by Nottinghamshire County Council, in the Rempstone Road development in the village, was submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council.
Outline planning permission had already been granted for the site, and councillors considered the detailed plans at a planning committee on May 12.
There will also be a 26 place nursery on the site, which is expected to be open in 2023 under the control of Spencer Academies Trust.
A temporary school ‘village’ for 120 pupils is being created to meet the pupil demand until the new school is operational.
East Leake Parish Council did not object to the application but asked for photovoltaic panels to be installed at the school.
The council officer stated during the meeting that it was not possible to install the panels due to the costs and proximity of the school to East Midlands Airport.
Councillor Carys Thomas (Ind), ward councillor for the area, said she was “truly delighted and excited” to see the detailed plans for the school.
But she added: “Some issues remain. The greatest concern is the lack of provision for dropping off children arriving by vehicle and for bus parking.
“Have yellow lines and school zone markings been set up to mitigate the problem as much as possible?
“Roofs should have solar panels. Proximity to East MiIdlands Airport is a weak excuse for not including them.”
She questioned whether it was “short-sighted” to not set aside an area which could be used for extra classrooms if there was further pupil demand.
She said: “It is so disappointing to be faced with the prospect of running out of school places again in East Leake in six years or so.”
Councillors unanimously approved the plans during the meeting.
