24th January 2007

Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 24 January 2007

On Wednesday the 24th of January we were disappointed to learn that our planning application for new Academy buildings was refused. Although Planning Officers recommended the scheme for approval, Herefordshire Council's Southern Area Planning Sub-Committee voted against the officers advice. Among the reasons given were the scale of the development, which the committee felt was too great for the area, and the potential increase in traffic through the village of Much Dewchurch. However, the government is committed to increasing diversity and parental choice in education, and the DfES is continuing to back the Steiner-Waldorf Academy project. We are currently working with parents, the local community and the DfES to determine how we might overcome the objections raised by the Planning Committee, and an appeal or re-submission is being considered. Academy status would mean our pupil numbers growing from 270 to 330, although it would take several years to reach this level. The increase in numbers would mostly be filled from our current waiting list. Running costs for an academy would be met in full by the DfES. Capital costs would be shared between the DfES and our sponsor, The Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 May 2007 )

 

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