Central Bedfordshire Council approves proposals for 300 extra lower school places in Biggleswade
Plans for 300 extra school places in Biggleswade have been approved by Central Bedfordshire Council. - Credit: Archant
Central Bedfordshire Council has approved proposals to create an extra 300 lower school places in Biggleswade.
The decision was taken on Tuesday and means that 150 additional places will be created at both St Andrew’s CofE VC Lower School and Biggleswade Academy.
The expansion scheme at Biggleswade Academy is subject to approval from the Department for Education, and both are still subject to planning permission being granted.
If so, work will begin in time for the first new reception classes at each school – each offering 30 places – to open in September next year with the extra pupils joining over a phased five-year period.
The additional classes will be created at Biggleswade Academy’s Kitelands Road site, and St Andrew’s Bantock Way campus.
The decision follows consultations into the two expansion schemes.
Councillor Steven Dixon, responsible for education at the unitary authority, said: “The public responses to the two consultations show that these additional places in the north and south of Biggleswade are very much needed.
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“Biggleswade is becoming increasingly popular with families as a place to live thanks to its affordable housing, good transport links, green spaces, schools and leisure facilities – and it’s up to us to help meet the projected demand for school places in the area.
“I am delighted that Executive has backed proposals to expand these two schools as this continues the council’s commitment to meet the need for an extra 6,750 places by 2020.”
For more information about school places across the district, visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/school.
