Designs for new Bentham primary school to go on display (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Designs for new Bentham primary school to go on display

11:40am Wednesday 8th September 2010 in High and Low Bentham news

A first look at designs for the new primary school at Bentham will be available tomorrow.

Jacobs, the county council’s property consultants, have prepared initial designs in consultation with High Bentham Primary School and they will be on show in the school hall from 2pm to 4pm.

They will then go on display at the town hall between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

The new school, to be built in Bellflecker’s Field between Low and High Bentham, would be environmentally efficient, accessible for those with disabilities, and provide facilities for use by the local community.

It is almost five years since plans to build a replacement school to accommodate Low and High Bentham were first mooted, but the proposals stalled when the landowner pulled out of negotiations.

In the meantime, Low Bentham School closed because of dwindling numbers and the cramped High Bentham School continued to struggle for space.

In a turnaround, North Yorkshire County Council secured the site for a second time and the new school, estimated to cost £3 million, is back on track.

It is expected that planning permission will be granted by early next year and the school opened in September 2012.

County councillor David Ireton, who represents North Craven, said: “A new school has been long-awaited by the communities of High and Low Bentham and all concerned have worked hard to bring about the scheme we now have before us.

“We want to hear the views of parents and residents in order to build a school that everybody can be proud of and which will produce the best outcomes for local children.”

County Councillor John Watson, North Yorkshire’s executive member for Schools said: “The architect is designing a building which aims to blend in with the surrounding landscape and also reflect the history of the Bentham area.

“Most importantly, the design would offer 21st century facilities for the children, families, and communities of High and Low Bentham.

"This is an opportunity for parents and the local community to share their views before the planning application is submitted later in the autumn.”