Major extension to Holmer Green School

A major extension to Holmer Green Senior School in High Wycombe has been approved by Buckinghamshire Council.

Councillors on the strategic sites committee approved the plans, put forward by the council itself as education authority, at its June 11 meeting. The proposal involves a new sports hall, fitness suite, maths and English block, six science laboratories, dance studio, music suite and a special needs and pastoral centre.

Public speakers raised concerns over traffic and a ‘park and stride’ scheme will operate to keep parking away from the school.

Cllr Richard Newcombe told the meeting: “These applications are always difficult because they always create more congestion but we do need, nevertheless, to build more schools for our children. We must educate them and it seems to be a good application and I’m therefore supporting it.”

Cllr Steve Broadbent said: “This is one of those applications that brings omelettes and breaking eggs to mind. Clearly extensions to schools are an excellent way to make a huge difference to pupils in the area.”

There were amendments to the application to seek a review of the travel plan after six months, to write to cabinet members about road improvements and to add a request for electric vehicle charging points.

Image: Google.