School in Peterborough set to get 600 new pupils despite petition

Ken Stimpson Community School in Werrington will expand from 1,014 to 1,650 pupils if a planning application receives approval from Peterborough City Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

The major project would also see the construction of a new two storey teaching block to the rear of the existing school buildings on a playing field, along with a small extension to the dining area, internal works to existing teaching areas, the creation of new areas of hard play and a new car park on the site of the existing tennis courts to create 37 parking spaces.

Access would be from Staniland Way.

To accommodate the extra traffic movements to and from the site it is proposed to add an extra lane on David’s Lane from the A15 roundabout and also along Staniland Way to the junction with Crowhurst, with a number of trees needing to be removed to allow for works to take place.

The plans have been recommended for approval by the council’s planning department despite a number of objections having been lodged with the authority.

This includes a petition signed by 35 residents of Crowhurst who fear increased noise and further difficulty in getting in and out of the road.

Werrington Neighbourhood Council said it “remains generally supportive of the planning application” but that “it is felt that this will still be an area of heavy congestion leading to David’s Lane becoming a rat run and delays for residents”.

Peterborough Highway Services, however, has not raised any objections.

If the plans are approved the number of pupils aged between 11 and 16 would increase from 866 to 1,350 and the sixth form from 148 pupils to 300.

The number of full time staff or equivalent would increase from 95 to 115.

Peterborough is currently the fourth fastest growing city in the UK, leading to a pressure on school places.

The council has a legal duty to make sure every child has a school place.