Not 'enough funds' for school at new housing site

The extension to the market town of March was approved in November and included a primary school to serve 420 pupils – with the ability to expand to 630

The developers behind a new housing estate with at least 1,000 homes have not provided enough funds to build a new primary school, according to a county council.

The project located on fields on the western edge of March, in Cambridgeshire, was approved by Fenland District Council in November.

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said the plans "do not currently provide enough funds" to build the school and it was seeking ways "to source the necessary funds".

Persimmon Homes said it had agreed to provide "£2,000 per dwelling, which equates to £2.4m-worth of funding" as part of its Section 106 contribution.

Work was due to start on the first houses between 2026 and 2038

The shortfall was pointed out in a Fenland District Council report which said: "Clearly this creates a significant funding gap, for which there is currently no identified commitment to fill."

The report added the county council would be "required to fund a significant proportion of the new school".

Persimmon Homes said: "As per the Section 106 contribution arrangement, this funding will be spent by Fenland District Council at their discretion on education provisions, healthcare facilities, library facilities or open space/sports facilities."

Section 106 agreements are negotiated between developers and councils, with money from developers being used to fund parks, schools and other services in the community.

The March plans included up to 1,200 homes with allotments, open public space and the primary school. Persimmon eventually hopes to build a 2,000-home settlement.

Planning documents suggested the primary school would serve 420 pupils – with the ability to expand to 630.

A spokesperson for Fenland District Council, the planning authority, said it had to balance the need to deliver homes with infrastructure demands when determining planning applications.

"Unfortunately, development in Fenland is often constricted due to viability constraints and this is a material consideration in the determination of a planning application," it said.

"The council will continue to work with developers, Cambridgeshire County Council and other third parties to look to deliver infrastructure, and not just education facilities, that meet the needs of our residents."

The county council spokesperson said: "We are committed to providing the best solution for future residents of this development."