Primary school set offering activity-based learning opens in Ashton-on-Ribble

The proposal states that the school will be “government funded” but also compares its offerings to those of the state sector.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that Lancashire County Council was not aware of the planned facility but, depending on the precise nature of the school, the education authority did not need to be informed in advance.

“The educational program differs from a public school in that activity-based learning is encouraged as well as off-site experiences of outdoor learning,” the application states.

Four objections were lodged to the plans, citing concerns such as impact on roads, possible increase in noise and loss of privacy. The “lack of information” presented to the city council also stood out as a problem.

The application was made by “HJM Properties”. Companies House lists “HJM Properties Limited” as a property firm based in London. However, in the form sent to the town hall, Cottam Lane Business Center itself is given as the applicant’s address.

Companies House also lists New Focus Education Limited, a firm founded in March, with an address in Cottam.

LDRS was unable to contact HJM Properties or the current resident of the Cottam Lane premises.

In a report outlining the reasons for approving the proposal, council planning officers said highways officials at Borough Hall had not objected to the development but had requested a traffic management plan.

In any event, the applicant provided additional information explaining that students “will be transported to school mostly by school staff, using the school minibus, to reduce the number of pick-ups and drop-offs,” the document states. The company also highlighted that the proposed headcount is currently one-third of the total headcount that can be covered by the office operation and will therefore reduce the impact on parking in the area.

The level of detail contained in the application was not considered to be a matter that could be taken into account within the scope of the preliminary notification application.

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