Bradford & District | Archive | 2000 | August | 4
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 4th Aug 2000.
Controversial plans to create a car park area and increase pupil numbers at a Cullingworth school have been approved.
Earlier in the year, Bradford Council granted permission to extend Parkside Middle School, Parkside Terrace, which will become a secondary school in September. But the plan was only approved on the grounds that student numbers would remain limited at 520 until improved access was provided.
Shipley Area Planning Panel yesterday voted unanimously in favour of building 27 car parking spaces at nearby Dellside Fold which is currently occupied by 14 lock-up garages.
Once these improvements have been carried out the limit on pupil numbers will be removed, allowing a capacity of 1,080 within a few years.
Speaking at yesterday's meeting Jonathan Smith, joint chairman of the school's governors, said the school had done everything to encourage children to use public transport or walk and had banned all sixth formers from driving cars to school in a bid to cut down on traffic.
He said: "I am delighted with the decision. Parents are already very supportive of using buses and the Green Travel Plan. Parents will also be asked to sign a notice of support as part of the school's travel policy."
But residents say it could not be guaranteed parents would use the new drop-off area rather than the already busy Parkside Terrace route to school.
Councillor John Cole (Lib Dem, Baildon) suggested parents should sign an acknowledgement form to drop children off and pick them up at the proposed Dellside Fold car park.
Planning officers said the council would find alternative buildings for those people who had lost the lock-up garage space.
l Councillors agreed planning permission to transform a former leisure centre into a bakery in Hirst Lane, Saltaire.
But permission was refused to extend a hot food takeaway at 267-269 Leeds Road, Windhill.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008