Residents are invited to take part in a public consultation to share their views on proposals to upgrade Ashurst Primary School.
In July this year, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet showed its support to the redevelopment project to replace the current 1970s building – no longer fit for modern day purpose – with a new learning facility to address overcrowded classrooms; a smaller than recommended hall – and provide support to children with special educational needs.
The new school – to be built on the current playground over two phases – would remain one form entry (one class per year group) with photovoltaic panels on the main roof making the building significantly more energy efficient than the existing school.
Phase one would see the creation of the new school, with some play surfaces retained, taking around 56 weeks to complete – while phase two would take around 33 weeks to complete and would involve carefully taking down the existing school to create the replacement play areas, as well as enhanced car parking provision.
Ahead of the submission of a formal planning application, members of the public are encouraged to provide comments on proposed site layouts and the effect the development would have on the local area, by taking part in an online survey.
Councillor Kate Groucutt, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Business, said: “Children should have the opportunity to learn in an environment that helps them to flourish and as a council we are committed to help create the perfect setting to allow young people to grow and develop – which the new Ashurst Primary School would achieve.
“Like any proposed planning development, it is important that residents form part of the process which is why we’d welcome any constructive feedback to help strengthen plans and make them the best they can be for all concerned.”
The consultation will be live until Tuesday 24 November and can be accessed by visiting www.sthelens.gov.uk/consultations
