School thrilled after studio plans approved (From Warrington Guardian)

School thrilled after studio plans approved

IT was third time lucky for Rudheath High School after planners approved an application to build a state-of-the-art dance and performing arts studio - despite around 50 objections.

The revised extension will include a dance studio, music rooms, storage area and two classrooms.

Mike Hayhurst, headteacher at Rudheath High School, said he was 'thrilled and delighted' with the decision.

He said: "I'm pleased that Vale Royal Borough Council's planning committee acknowledged all the hard work we have done in trying to reduce the scale and impact of our proposals on our neighbours whilst at the same time attempting to ensure we have a project that will deliver excellent educational opportunities for our pupils.

"This scheme will enable us to deliver our commitments in performing arts, to ensure the school is widely accessible to the local community and to help deliver the borough council's wider aspirations for culture and regeneration in Northwich."

The £600,000 scheme comprises a single-storey extension to the school, in Shipbrook Road.

The planning committee approved the scheme on its third application subject to several conditions including details of landscaping proposals, noise issues, lighting and hours of use.

But objectors from a number of roads nearby were not happy.

One resident said: "We felt it was a foregone conclusion.

"Forty car park spaces are going to be removed and we shall be interested to see how the school is going to accommodate that. There are concerns about noise. We don't know how many windows and doors there will be.

"I certainly would not like to be listening to amplified music through an open window up to 10pm."

The resident added: "The headmaster goes home out of Northwich at 4pm.

"We are the residents and therefore are concerned."

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk