Include proposals for a relocated and expanded Primary School.

I am concerned that there will be an unbalanced development in Balsall Common, if the current Draft Plan comes to fruition.
During the process of the Village Plan which reported in 2009, we undertook much research. One of the key questions we asked of senior officers was the calculation of children of school age as part of new development. We were advised that 1000 dwellings would produce 800 children of school age.
One of the issues of critical importance was the co-efficient relating to school numbers/pupils. This was very valuable at the time. During submissions from 2012, I have continued to ask whether the equation in 2008 had changed. I am assured that the equation of 1000 dwellings would produce 800 children / students of school age.
There is a statement in the document covering Balsall Common that a two-form entry Primary school would be built as part of the Barratt’s Lane development. There is also a statement that Heart of England School could cope with the construction of 1680 dwellings. However if the numbers proved beyond this capacity, expansion of the school would come from developer contributions. This is currently an unknown situation. Perhaps a strategy to cover this potential would be advisable. Para 526 is clear that requirements from other locations may mean that Balsall Common is destined for more development.
May I submit that this inference could prove to be unnecessarily costly to SMBC, unless additional accommodation could be provided?
My thinking is along the following lines: -
1. The current Primary School is over subscribed to the extent that the Head Teacher has relocation in mind; over-sized classes at Primary level are best avoided. [I am given to understand that he has Frog Lane in mind.]
2. The calculation of school places needed from 1680 dwellings is 1344 new arrivals. Taking this figure over 12 teaching years, this amounts to the addition of 112 per year group. If the calculation were taken over 15 school years, there would be 90 in each year group.
3. On the basis of these figures, it is difficult to see how the existing Primary school will be able to cope. [ 3 form entry is perceived to be too large]
4. Using the same formula, the 875 dwellings in Barratt’s Lane would produce 700 pupils. Clearly some “relocation” of pupils from the current Primary school would be required.
5. This may not be popular or convenient for some parents as well as causing additional traffic.
6. The point is made that HoE school takes pupils from outside Solihull. Presumably officers have been in contact with Coventry City and other boroughs whose pupils attend Solihull schools? This would necessitate removing some pupils from outside.
This Draft Plan seeks to cover a decade or so, before further review is necessary. In these circumstances, perhaps dealing with the relocation of the Primary school initially could open the possibility of HoE expanding into the plot occupied by the Primary school. Clearly some internal reorganisation of infrastructure would be necessary – toilets and desks/tables with chairs. Overall a modest expenditure to enable the longer-term view to be achievable.
The removal of the Frog Lane site could become a subject of some argument with the current owners, unless a site for the Primary school could be found close by.
There are two obvious possibilities which could meet this need:-
1. Oakes Farm, or
2. Grange Farm.
Planning implications
Balsall Parish Council over many years has always hoped that Balsall Street (B4101) would be the western boundary and kept clear of development. The officers reviewing the options on this settlement are in effect sanctioning development beyond B4101. The only previous development on the west side was approved in the early 90s, of which I had some involvement – Saracen’s Drive.
Oakes Farm is a large site which could accommodate a newly relocated Primary school. The land is extensive but is not level. [The owners have submitted their site for development. This has not found favour with officers.]
Grange Farm is a much larger site and included in the proposals for development a new Primary school was included. It is large enough for some form of open space / parkland to be included, thus keeping current uses in place.