Permission granted for Cheetham Hill school
Conlan Construction will build a 420-pupil primary school off Bignor Street for Star Academies.
Manchester City Council has granted planning permission for Olive School, which would be constructed on a three-acre area of green space known as Bignor Street Park.
The city council said the scheme would “provide much-needed educational facilities” and that there would be “no undue impact arising from a proposal of this scale and nature”.
The project, for which plans were submitted in February, was approved under delegated powers. To learn more search for application reference 135936/FO/2023 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.
Located off Heywood Street, Star Academies’ two-form entry primary school would address “an identified need within the community”, according to consultation documents.
Designed by Bowker Sadler Architecture, the school, adjoining car park, and multi-use games area would be constructed on the northern section of the three-acre site.
The southern half of the site, currently occupied by a cricket pitch, would comprise a sports pitch and community batting nets.
Under Manchester City Council’s planning policy, any scheme that results in the loss of a sports pitch can only go ahead if better replacement provision is delivered nearby.
Star Academies plans to pay a financial contribution to the city council to support improvements to sports facilities at Smedley Lane and Cheetham Park.
Having a school cramped in this tiny hotspot of Cheetham is not good. A big loss of green space, and losing the basketball court/cycling area for local kids – why should they have to go far across busy Cheetham Hill Road when crossings can be unsafe? What about the increase in traffic, air pollution, car parking issues daily for residents? Do people know this Star Academies school is going to be single faith/religious? Not helping diversity will make Cheetham more of a ghetto. The council should improve the local parks and public recreation, there are taxpayers residents here, not just people on benefits!
By Anonymous
The school in the area are all ready under subscribed. I believe the building of this school will lead to the closure off other established schools in the area.
By Concerned resident
I am very pleased to hear the news as the area of sports was almost always empty. I used to bring my baby out almost everyday and there was almost no body to use that space. It is very reassuring that it will be used for a better purpose. This will enhance the diversity of the community as there are other faiths school in the area too.
By Anonymous
That field was always used when good weather. I’m disgusted that they took away yet another open space for kids , to build yet another school when there is 8 schools within walking distance in Cheetham Hill. . The traffic and pollution will be much worse as it is already used a lot.
By Anonymous
The fields were only empty in bad weather but many loved basketball in summer. Now they’ve sealed off the playing fields for the construction, local kids are now cycling dangerously and playing ball games in the middle of local roads and running up streets annoying residents. Construction vehicles, lorries, buses, and cars speed along Cheetham and Waterloo Rd. It’s only a matter of time there will be a tragic accident as there’s no safe place to cross, or space for the youngsters to play now. Why is this faith school of importance in an inner city when Cheetham is already a diverse community, the school could have been built elsewhere. It’s fast becoming crowded with much more traffic. The road safety and local green spaces needs improving a lot if you want the residents not to complain to council and school govt!
By Anonymous
@September 10, 2023 at 5:24 pm
By Anonymous
Because there’s a demand for a faith school.
By Rye&Eggs