The closing date for this consultation is 25th February 2021 and your opinions can be communicated either by email or post to:-
Email - researchandpolicy@solihull.gov.uk
Post - Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, School Place Planning Team, Children’s Services and Skills
Council House, Manor Square, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 3QB
Solihull Council (SMBC) is proposing to make Cheswick Green Primary School a two-form entry. The additional capacity is designed to accommodate children from the Blythe Valley Park (BVP) and Cheswick Place housing developments. Not only would this lead to significant issues in respect of traffic, parking and pollution, but it could easily lead to a reduction in the standard of education.
Despite overwhelming opposition SMBC is progressing this proposal and has now issued a second consultation which can be accessed by using the following link:-
www.solihull.gov.uk/consultations
Although both consultations provide limited information, it is evident that the additional planned facilities are restricted and arguably not in keeping with a doubling of pupil capacity. The hall, after-school club, library and music rooms all remain the same size. Quite clearly, this is not consistent with a good learning environment.
It is understood that the Head Teacher and Governing Body are both supportive of the expansion and have been integral to the school design.
The parking of school staff cars on local roads causes much consternation, and with the provision of additional parking spaces which are included in the feasibility study, staff should be discouraged from parking outside the school grounds.
A recent survey carried out across Europe concluded that traffic pollution can reduce children’s lung capacity by almost 20%. Public Health England’s report into air quality, highlights the need to reduce air pollution in the vicinity of schools supports this. SMBC’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions is not evident here.
The assessment is intended to include various options including a second access to the school. It is assumed that the key criteria of such action would be to drop off/collect children. However, with vehicle engines idling and the inherent release of dangerous gases into the air, plus traffic congestion on approaching roads, such a move is likely to have devastating consequences both to air quality and loss of Green Belt.
A study to determine if a new school could be built on Blythe Valley Park incorporating pupils from Hockley Heath School, which could be demolished and houses built, has not been undertaken except as a desk top exercise. This needs to be revisited.
Link to site plans: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-01/Proposal-to-expand-Cheswick-Green- Primary-School-Site-plans.pdf