Leckhampton school places concern

The consortium of developers currently eyeing up fields in Leckhampton for a 1,300+ house development have been warned that the 1 form entry Primary School they are suggesting for the development would be inadequate.


In a letter to the developers, the County Council says that it's preliminary view, based on its analysis of the pupils numbers arising from developments in the County is that providing only a one form entry could leave a shortfall of between 2 and 4 classes. The County estimates that 25 primary age children are likely to arise from every one hundred properties built. This helps to negotiate planning applications. A development of between 1100 and 1300 would be likely to generate between 275 and 338 pupils. 

Local residents and MP Martin Horwood protest against development of Leckhampton Fields.

However, a 7 class, 1 form entry school has a capacity of 210 and would not be able to accommodate the sufficient number of children.  There would be a potential shortfall of 2-4 classes which would exacerbate the already difficult situation in South Cheltenham with regard to primary school places. The County recently expanded St James School and Naunton Park School had an extra temporary form entry in September 2011 as they were unable to meet the very local demand for places at the school.


This is very worrying and clearly the developers need to go back to the drawing board. I really do not want to see mass housing estates built on the fields in Leckhampton as they are so valuable to the local community and for their potential for local food production. But it could be a nightmare if over a thousand houses are built - the Joint Core Strategy is suggesting 1,65 houses in the area, but there are not enough school places for the development.


The news on the impact on senior school places is not any better. The County has confirmed to the developers that this size of development would not require a new senior school to be built. But with demand for senior school places in South Cheltenham outstripping supply permitting this development will have a massive knock-on effect on families all over Leckhampton.


The County say the developers would have to pay section 106 money to contribute to expanding schools in the area but there is only Bournside nearby and that is already a very large school. It is not easy to see how enough extra places can be catered for pupils coming from this development (estimated to be over 230) and others like the one at Cold Pool Lane at Bournside. 


The County suggest that the s.106 money could be spent at Chosen Hill School but that is not in Cheltenham let alone in the local area. In my view this is simply unacceptable and will impact on so many existing Leckhampton families as well as those moving into the development if it ever goes ahead.