High Court rules in council’s favour on plans for new £30m school
Published
30.10.2020
An application to the High Court seeking a judicial review of planning permission for a new high school in Leckhampton has been refused.
His Honour Judge Jarman QC yesterday found in favour of Gloucestershire County Council. He confirmed that the location of the all weather pitch, the diversion of right of way and tree planting, which made the basis of the application, were for the county council to decide rather than the court and a judicial review was refused.
Work to build the new school has already started and was not delayed by the now refused application. A ground breaking ceremony took place in September ahead of the first phase of archaeological work starting. Construction of the new school will start in November as planned, with the new school building due to open in 2022. The school will open to new students in September 2021 located in temporary accommodation on the Balcarras School site for one year.
Cllr Patrick Molyneux cabinet member for education at Gloucestershire County Council said: “This is a great result and I’m very pleased that the High Court have ruled in our favour. This low carbon, high quality school is a massive investment in the future of children in Cheltenham, and the surrounding area. It’s a key part of our £100m investment in schools across the county and means that local children have access to education on their doorstep rather than needing to travel.”