Primary school plans recommended for approval

Thorney Primary School would remain at its current site until a new school is constructed

A new school would help an ageing primary cope with more pupils, according to a planning application.

Sunderland's Thorney Primary School would benefit from improved facilities if plans to move it to a new home are approved by councillors next week.

A new complex would be built on the former Sunningdale Primary School site in Springwell, which has been earmarked for the development.

Sunderland City Council's planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval.

Built within the catchment area of the existing school, the new development would be "future proofed" to enable it to grow to two classes per year group, according to planning documents submitted to the council.

The new school, which would offer 315 spaces and nursery provision, would have specialist teaching rooms for children with special education needs and hearing impairments.

It would also benefit from improved staff facilities, playing fields that could accommodate formal sport, an on-site car park and 80 bike racks to "promote more sustainable methods of transport".

Council documents seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service said the proposals would deliver a "good standard of development" in an "accessible and sustainable location".

It said the current school was "an older school" and "whilst well maintained" it was "lacking in the specialist teaching provision which the newer primary schools [could] offer".

Two objections to the scheme were lodged in response to a council consultation exercise.

Concerns were raised around the potential impact on traffic and footfall, and disruption during construction works.

The authority's Planning and Highways Committee will discuss the application, lodged by Together for Children - which provides services on behalf of the council - at Sunderland's City Hall on 10 June.