A major expansion scheme which would double the size of a Nottinghamshire primary school has been approved by planners.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Planning and Rights of Way Committee gave the green light for a single-storey extension to be built at Chuter Ede Fernwood Primary School in the Fernwood area of Newark at a meeting on Tuesday 11 March.

The expansion project – led by the county council – will see pupil numbers increase from 210 to 420 and will ultimately help to meet growing demand for school places in an area where new housing continues to be built.

Eight classrooms will be built as part of the application at the Hunters Road school, which also includes additional sports pitches for rounders and football, a running track and two hard PE courts.

The development would include extending the existing staff car park from 16 to 39 spaces, while there will be provision for EV charging points. Solar panels are also proposed on the extension’s roof.

Councillor Ben Bradley, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, said the planning approval is great news for families living in the area.

He said: “I’m fully supportive of this expansion project and it comes at an exciting time for school developments in Nottinghamshire, with expansions and improvements planned and taking place across the county.

“This forms part of our ongoing commitment to ensure all children in Nottinghamshire have access to the best education. A key ambition of this council is to build and expand schools and there is no better investment than securing a good education for our young people.

“This project will deliver an additional 210 primary school places and helps to address the growing demand for primary school places in the area.

“I’m sure this is very welcome news for families in this part of Newark and I look forward to the project getting underway.”

The project will be led by the county council with its partner Arc Partnership, a joint venture between the council and SCAPE, which will design, deliver and cost manage the improvement scheme.

Chuter Ede Fernwood, which is an annex of Chuter Ede Primary School at Balderton, was built in 2012 to service the growing number of children from the new Fernwood estate and is being developed in three phases – with the application for this extension the third phase.

The first two phases have been implemented and, in addition to the original school building in phase one, have seen the creation of a sports field, outdoor play area, car parking and landscaping.  

Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, said: “There is no better investment in our children’s future than ensuring they get a good education.

“We have a proven track record in delivering projects which has seen millions of pounds invested in building and expanding schools to provide pupils with the best facilities to allow them to learn in modern, well-equipped buildings.

“This is yet another development I’m fully supportive of and the approval of this expansion scheme will provide the best environment for education and help to bring more school places to Nottinghamshire.”