Consultation into school merger

A CONSULTATION into plans to amalgamate two Maltby schools will deal with the education provision and not the planning permission, Rotherham Council has stressed.

Several residents believe that the consultation into plans to close Maltby Hall Infant School and expand the current Lilly Hall Junior School is another opportunity for them to comment on planning issues.

But this week Rotherham Council has stressed to residents that this new round of consultation relates to a school closure and change of age range at the school - not the planning permission.

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The original plans would have seen a new primary school built on the Maltby Academy site.

However, plans that were given planning permission earlier this year will see both schools amalgamated on the Lilly Hall Junior site.

Local resident feel the site is not big enough for the amalgamation and cannot accommodate the numbers or the infrastructure required.

One said: “The only way they can squeeze this quart into a pint sized pot is by destroying trees, wildlife, significantly impacting local resident’s privacy and amenity, causing significant traffic congestion and road safety issues, all of which are too big a price to pay and demonstrates negligence of all of those concerned.”

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A council spokesman said a new consultation period was necessary because the new proposal was considered to be a ‘significant change’ to the original proposals in relation to the education provision and not the planning permission, which has been dealt with under separate proposals.

She added: “Rather than build a new primary school on the Maltby Academy site, it is being proposed to close Maltby Hall Infant School and expand the current Lilly Hall Junior School into a new ‘through’ school for both infants and juniors on its existing site at Cliff Hill.”

“The consultation involves a pre-statutory phase, such as meetings with staff, parents and governors, and then a statutory six-week phase, which is the public notice in relation to a school closure and change of age range of an existing school by expansion.”

“The complete proposals can be obtained by telephoning Helen Barre on 01709 382121 on ext 54831. The proposals are also available on Rotherham Borough Council’s website at www.rotherham.gov.uk. Any comments on the proposals should be sent to the authority before Friday, June 8.”

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