I’ve received a copy of a letter sent by the Council to local residents in the vicinity of the site of the proposed new build for Walkden High School. It’s an update on the proposals and I thought it would be a good idea to post it on here for information. There’s also a section on the Council’s website about the proposals – you can find that here although as I type it seems to be lacking the latest information.
Anyway without further ado, here’s the content of the update to residents:
We are writing to update you on the proposals for a new Walkden High School. As you may know we are proposing to build a new school building on the existing school playing fields, as a replacement for the current building. If you have only recently moved to this area we would be happy to update you on previous correspondence or you can find further information on our website www.salford.gov.uk/walkdenhs
As we have explained previously, outline planning permission was granted for the new school in February 2007. In response to the feedback of residents we have explored alternative ways of accessing the school site. We are now submitting a separate planning application for an alternative access route which would be via a new road directly from Old Clough Lane. This new road would be through the property/land purchased from the owners of 211 and 213 Old Clough Lane. We have had discussions with the immediate neighbours of these properties to get comments and feedback on the design of the scheme and boundary arrangements.
In the next couple of weeks you will be officially notified of this latest planning application by Urban Vision, who manage the process on behalf of the council, and you will be able to view the application at www.salford.gov.uk/planninglist
The letter will also contain a telephone number should you prefer to make your views known in this way. After the consultation the application will then be considered by the Planning Panel. We would expect a decision to be made by October 2008.
It is important to stress that even if planning permission is granted, it is not certain that this proposed entrance will be the access route in the final plans. The final plans will be the responsibility of the private sector partner currently being selected. The two short listed potential partners are developing designs over coming months and there will be further consultation opportunities for the community as part of the planning process.
In addition to the consultation on the planning application, we will also be carrying out a further consultation with residents about the new school in the Autumn. This will cover more broad ranging issues on the development of the proposals including the construction phase, site issues and future management of the facility. We will provide details nearer to the date of this wider consultation so you have the opportunity to make your views known.
Independently of the council’s plans for the new school building, United Utilities are also submitting a planning application for a West East link water pipeline. This pipeline is going from Prescot to Bury and will improve the transportation of water and help secure supplies. The immediate local residents affected by the Walkden section of the pipeline have been informed. These residents may also be contacted by Urban Vision as part of the pipeline planning process. We have been working closely with United Utilities to co-ordinate the two projects in order to minimise disruption in the Walkden area. United Utilities are proposing that installation of the section of the pipeline along the edge of the playing fields nearest the A580 East Lancashire Road and the crossing of Old Clough Lane, will not take place at the same time as the building works for the new school.
We hope that this update is useful and look forward to discussing the proposed plans in more detail with you.
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