Expansion plans for Hartlepool school to create area for town's most vulnerable children

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council by bosses at Stranton Primary School in the town to create a single-storey extension to provide additional teaching space at the school.

A design and access statement from Bryal Consultancy, on behalf of the school located on Southburn Terrace, said the plans would support the most vulnerable in the area.

It said: “It is Stanton Primary School’s intention to add an extension on to their existing building to provide much needed additional space for some of the most vulnerable children in the area; additionally, to providing educational and pastoral support for parents.

“Their design consideration is to create a new purpose-built provision, to support their existing learning areas, consisting of a new reception area, three specialist training rooms and two general rooms, solely for the use of specialist professionals working with the children and their parents.”

The space would be utilised by a maximum of 12 children, with up to six adults accompanying them.

The brickwork for the new extension will be chosen to match the existing building to ensure minimal visual impact.

The planning statement for the proposals states the provision would benefit the community for years to come.

It said: “The purpose-built provision would support their existing learning areas, creating specialist learning areas for professionals to meet the demand for vulnerable school-age places.

“The new facility would improve the schools service provision, ensuring that they have the resources that fulfil the requirements of their most vulnerable and youngest pupils and their parents moving forward.

“This would positively impact the local community, future-proof the facility and promote a stronger sense community spirit with the surrounding residential areas.”

The land where the extension would be built is located within the existing school site and is currently a car park area.

However the parking area is not used with the school planning for the extension by extending the main car park in 2018 to accommodate for the loss of spaces.

Plans also state the contractor will ensure minimal disruption to staff and pupils and provide safe access at all times during the construction phase.

A decision is expected to be made on the plans by council planning chiefs next month.