Cheshire East Council has approved plans to expand two primary schools in Handforth to meet the growing demand.
The School Organisation Sub-Committee has agreed to the expansion of Wilmslow Grange Community Primary and Nursery from 210 school places to 315. Whilst school places at Dean Oaks Primary will increase from 315 to 420.
The schools will expand from September 2014 to enable the intake at Wilmslow Grange Community Primary School to increase from 30 to 45 and at Dean Oaks Primary School the intake will increase from 45 to 60.
The required building works will be funded from the Council's 2013/2014 Capital Programme. The investments required are estimated to be £887,000 for Wilmslow Grange Community Primary and £900,000 for Dean Oaks Primary.
Following the publication of notices, a 4-week representation period took place from 18th July to 15th August 2013 during which three objections and one response in support of the proposal to expand Wilmslow Grange were received and two objections to the proposal to expand Dean Oaks Primary School was received.
Two of the objectors felt that other alternatives should be considered, such as the re-opening of the Oakenclough Children's Centre as a new Primary School rather than expanding Dean Oaks Primary School. The other objector raised concerns regarding the traffic problems at Wilmslow Grange.
The Cabinet member responsible for Children and Family Services has also endorsed plans to expand Lacey Green Primary Academy to provide an additional 120 places. Planning permission has already been granted for their expansion plans, which are estimated to cost £1,237,000.
However, the expansion of the Academy is subject to Secretary of State approval, as changes will need to be made to their funding agreement, and the Academy are currently waiting for final written approval.
Implementation of the Wilmslow Grange Community Primary and Nursery and Dean Oaks Primary School proposals will be subject to the necessary planning permissions being granted.
