Bold plan for disused school

A BOLD plan to convert a disused school into a vibrant community centre is to be put to Warrington’s planners.
The scheme would involve a Mencap learning centre, a training café, nursery provision, baby clinic, IT suite, library facilities, community garden, etc at the former Fairfield CE Primary School in Fairfield Street.
The scheme is being recommended for approval – but a number of nearby residents are worried about possible late night noise and disruption, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
They claim they were not consulted and say if the scheme goes ahead, security fencing should be introduced.
The school closed at the end of the summer term and relocated to new buildings in St Elphin’s Park.
The old building is owned by Warrington Church of England Education Trust, which has committed to a continuing community use of the building.
A number of meetings, discussions and resident involvement has been organised by the Fairfield and Howley Neighbourhood Project.
A steering group has been set up and has suggested a range of uses for the building.
These include Scouts, a youth club, health activities, bingo, adult learning, Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Mums and Tots group.
Planners say hours of use of the building will be restricted to 8am-10pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 10.30pm on Saturdays and 10am to 6pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
A spokesman said: “There is no evidence to suggest the proposal would give rise to an increase in vandalism or anti-social behaviour. The existing fencing and walling around the site is sufficient to provide an adequate level of security, as was the case for the school.”