Government to decide on school expansion plan

There are plans to double the number of pupils at Cottam Primary School to 420 children

Plans to double the number of pupils at a school in Preston by expanding its buildings will have to be agreed by the government before they can progress.

Lancashire County Council wants to increase numbers at Cottam Primary School to 420 pupils and extend the school site a proposal drawn up more than two years ago.

The phased rise is already underway, with 60 pupils admitted to reception each year rather than the previous 30, with more to follow in the coming years.

Planning permission has been granted for a single-storey block with four classrooms, but Sport England has objected, triggering a referral to the government, as part of an existing pitch will be built on as part of the project.

The proposed new block would be built on a section of the pitch and over part of the current school car park at Haydocks Lane.

An additional car park will be built to replace the spaces lost to boost the overall number of bays available by 17, to a total of 43.

Substitute pitch

A new multi-use games area will also be developed on a small section of grass playing field, which has led to an objection from Sport England.

Deputy chair of the council's development committee, councillor Tom Lord said the new all-weather facility "seems to be providing an awful lot of alternative benefit for a community that requires a school".

However, Jonathan Haine, the council's principal planning officer, said the sports organisation was mainly concerned that the replacement games area was not regarded as a suitable substitute.

As a result of Sports England's opposition, the matter will now have to be decided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.