Norfolk villagers seek reconsideration of school expansion

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 16:32 · Archive

Salhouse Parish Council is seeking reconsideration of Norfolk County Council's approval for a £2.5m expansion of Salhouse Primary School.

Norfolk County Council approved plans last month for a new two-classroom building at Salhouse Primary School to accommodate an extra 60 pupils. The vote was controversial: only three councillors voted in favour, with eight abstaining after hearing villagers' concerns about congestion, parking and child safety on local streets.

Salhouse Parish Council has now written to County Hall requesting the decision be reconsidered. The council argues the expansion does not adequately address underlying school place demand and is being driven largely by the need for places for children from nearby Rackheath, where thousands of new homes are being built. Although a new primary school is proposed as part of that development, it is some years away and the existing school is full.

The parish council challenges the decision on grounds of maladministration and suggests that the voting outcome and the significant number of abstentions should be recognised when assessing the strength of concern about the application. It has asked Norfolk County Council to reconsider whether Salhouse Primary School is the appropriate location and solution for the additional school places required.

How it is being reported

• Angry villagers want £2.5m school expansion reconsidered after controversial voteThe contentious decision to grant permission for a £2.5m expansion of a Norfolk school should be reconsidered, according to angry villagers.Eastern Daily Press · 17 Oct, 16:00
• Angry villagers want £2.5m school expansion reconsidered after controversial voteThe contentious decision to grant permission for a £2.5m expansion of a Norfolk school should be reconsidered, according to angry villagers.Norwich Evening News · 17 Oct, 16:00

In this story: Salhouse Primary School · Norfolk County Council · Salhouse Parish Council · Salhouse · Rackheath · Norfolk

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