Decision on Meadowpark School extension decided this month

Meadowpark School wants to create a building made of timber cladding with a metal sheeting roof to house three new classrooms.

The plans have been criticised by residents who say the new building does not fit the heritage and character of the town, and that the new pupils would create traffic congestion around the school.

But the school said the building would be in keeping with the area and that the traffic plan has been carefully considered.

Wiltshire Council’s planning committee is due to decide whether to approve the planning application when it meets on January 28.

Rajvinder Kular, head of the school, said: “We were disappointed with the negative reactions from some Cricklade residents and concerned that they may not have fully understood the plans.”

She explained that pickup and drop off times are staggered to avoid any impact on rush hour traffic.

She said: “The car park behind the school is always used by parents and is opened up to the wider community for events, thus decreasing congestion.

“Cricklade should be proud that it has a school that is rated outstanding by Ofsted. Classes are kept small to ensure excellent learning. The new classrooms will result in just a small increase in pupil numbers, less than one class at a state school.”

She added: “Over a quarter of our staff live in Cricklade and many others live in nearby villages. Meadowpark pays £23,738 in business rates, which are used by the council to fund local services. Pupils regularly perform at Jenner Hall and local businesses are used for essential supplies.”

The application is being opposed by Nicholas Rose who lives next door to the school and believes the new building will act as a dam, stopping excess water from the nearby River Thames draining into grassland on the school site, which would make his property susceptible to flooding.

Cricklade Town Council has opposed the scheme as members believe the building will be out of character with the area.