Plans have been submitted for a two-classroom extension at the Dingle Primary School in Haslington to accommodate growing pupil numbers.

The scheme will also include improvements to the car park with provisions for bin store and cycle parking, the formation of MUGA (multi-use game area) on existing playing fields and the replacement of high-level windows to the hall and the installation of photovoltaic panels to the roof.

The school has a published admission number (PAN) of 50, which is the maximum number of pupils that should be admitted into each year group.

Since September 2020 it has admitted 60 pupils into reception.

A design and access statement submitted with the planning application by David Trowler Associates says the forecast figures indicate these additional places will be required annually for the forthcoming future.

A decision has therefore been made to increase the PAN from 50 to 60, increasing the overall number of places at the school from 300 to 420.

"To date the school have been using space adjacent to the existing hall to facilitate the increased number, however this space is considered poor quality with a lack of natural light and poor ventilation," states the report. "Proposals have therefore been developed to provide a two classroom extension and internal modifications in order to provide an improved teaching environment to meet the current demands of the school."

The proposed extension is earmarked for the south west corner of the existing building and will provide two classrooms each with external windows and natural ventilation.

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The new development will reduce the area of the existing playground so this will be replaced by the proposed MUGA.

Haslington councillor Steve Edgar (Con) pictured below, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he is fully in support of the application but he has urged Cheshire East to look at the roads around the school and to reduce the speed limit accordingly.

He also wants a new pedestrian crossing installed so the children can walk to school safely instead of being driven.

Cllr Edgar said he has received a number of complaints about cars speeding on the 30mph Dingle, the road which leads to the school from Haslington village.

And in a letter to Cheshire East's planning officers he said: "From the north, access is via Clay Lane and Maw Lane, both of which are national speed limit roads and this needs a TRO (traffic regulation order) to reduce the speed limit to 30 well in advance of the school entrance and a 20mph when the school is busy."

He is also calling a 20mph limit on Park Road which is narrow and has no footpaths and, says Cllr Edgar, will be used by children from the Hazlemere Estate.

He adds: "There is a strong case for a pedestrian crossing at either the Co-op entrance or outside 158/158A Crewe Road."

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The last date for submitting comments on the application, number 23/0412N, is March 1.

The application is due to be determined by a planning officer under delegated authority.