'OUTSTANDING' PRIMARY SCHOOL SLIPPED UP ON PROPOSAL FOR NEW NURSERY BUILDING.

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Extraordinary! The academy forgot to seek planning consent

A CLEETHORPES junior school has been allowed to retain a new building even though it was put up without planning consent.

Middlethorpe Primary Academy, off Taylors Avenue, proclaims itself as "outstanding in every area", but it raised eyebrows - not least among neighbouring residents - when it installed the modular unit for nursery pupils without checking whether this was OK.

It was therefore obliged to seek retrospective planning permission from North East Lincolnshire Council.

To the relief of governors and senior staff, this was granted earlier this week.

In her ruling, case officer Cheryl Jarvis said:  "All immediate neighbours have  informed by letter and a site notice was displayed.

"A resident of Itterby Crescent raised concerns of the size of the building, its proximity to boundaries and the safety of children playing near to the property and under trees.

"A question regarding security lighting and its impact was also raised."

She continued: "In addition, the retrospective nature of the application has been raised by an interested party. 

"The undertaking of development without having first obtained the necessary planning permission is done so at the applicant’s own risk.

"Any application found to not be acceptable in planning terms may be open to  enforcement action where necessary.

"The site is visible in the street scene through the open fencing to Highthorpe Crescent.  

"The proposed alterations are seen within the context of school accommodation and are considered to be of suitable design and materials.  

"Given this, it is not considered that the proposal is overly prominent in the street scene."

In granting consent, Ms Jarvis concluded: "The proposal is considered to be acceptable in principle and does not result in any significant effect upon the character of the area, neighbouring amenity, highways safety or drainage."

The academy is part of the Wakefield-based Enquire Learning Trust.

Retrospectively approved - the new nursery