The school’s expansion means its pupil size can increase from 450 to 630, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
A primary school in Chingford has been given permission to build a new kitchen and classrooms, creating 180 spaces for new pupils.
Yardley School, in Hawkwood Crescent, successfully applied to Waltham Forest Council to demolish the existing canteen and replace it with a part two and part three-storey block.
This will facilitate the school’s expansion from a two-form entry to a three-form entry, raising the number of pupils from 450 to 630.
Yardley will also have room for five new staff members.
Councillors approved the scheme at a planning committee meeting last night (3rd March).
During the meeting, councillors also approved separate plans for a temporary, modular kitchen to be erected on the playing field. It will function as a replacement catering area for 18 months.
Though councillors called the expansion “straightforward” considering that “our children need school places,” five residents formally opposed it.
One local told the committee he felt it would have a “detrimental impact on the health and lives of residents,” and the extra traffic would worsen “congestion and pollution”.
He said he felt it was “very strange” the council blamed congestion for its controversial decision to scrap free parking in Station Road, when it was “prepared to congest and pollute our local area”.
He added: “Why not build a new school in an area where it is needed?”
No representatives from the school were present at the meeting.
Committee chair Councillor Jenny Gray said she “sympathised” with residents who worried about more people coming to the area, but it was “quite heartening” they need more places.
“Especially when so many schools in London are having to reduce their size,” she added.
Additionally, concerned residents were told by the council to report issues such as illegal parking to the relevant enforcement teams.
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