New sixth form college to be built

PLANS for a big new sixth form college have been given the go-ahead by Warrington planners.
The part three, part four-storey building will be built at Great Sankey High School, in Barrow Hall Lane.
The development was approved by the borough council’s planning sub-committee despite objections from 10 residents concerned about traffic and parking congestion and similar worries from a number of ward councillors.
Great Sankey Parish Council was also concerned about the traffic implications.
But Great Sankey North Residents’ Association supported the scheme because of the improve educational facilities.
The committee was told that in fact there would be no increase in staff or pupil numbers.
The 6th form will have 400 students currently houses in other parts of the building, including mobile classrooms.
There will be an additional car park providing 60 extra spaces.
Planning officers said objectors were trying to resolve long-standing traffic problems unrelated to the school plan. The proposal would not increase numbers of staff or students and would not worsen traffic problems.
In fact, it would improve the situation as it would reduce the number of people parking on Barrow Hall Lane and local roads and allow cars to drive further into the site and drop-off pupils alongside a dedicated new pedestrian route.
The removal of buses from the site to a new lay-by on Lingley Green Avenue would be a major improvement.