Expansion of Haywards Heath academy approved

Warden Park Primary Academy, New England Road, was granted permission for several single storey extensions, an extension to its hall, a multi-use games area (MUGA), and ten extra parking spaces by West Sussex County Council’s Planning Committee.

This will allow it to expand from a 1.5 form of entry to a two form of entry school, allowing it to take another 120 pupils.

However two petitions totalling 29 signatures were submitted to WSCC objecting to the school’s expansion due to road safety and parking concerns during drop-off and pick-up times.

Councillors comments centred around the hours restricting the use of the MUGA, the height of the MUGA’s fencing, and how parking restrictions around the school would be funded.

Officers explained that the school was included in a programme looking to change advisory keep clear markings outside schools to make them legally enforceable.

Sujan Wickremaratchi (Con, Haywards Heath Town) said that he did accept the application given the need for more school places, but explained that New England Road was used as a shortcut between the town and Lindfield and during school hours it often became ‘choka’.

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