Plans to build a new primary school on Skinnerthorpe Road to meet the needs of Fir Vale's expanding population were revealed by the Council at a residents' meeting on 22nd October.
Local Councillors Jackie Drayton, Ibrar Hussain and Talib Hussain and a range of Council officers attended the meeting to unveil their proposal at the Pakistan Advice and Community Centre on Page Hall Road.
Expanding population
Alena Prentice, from the Council's Inclusion and Learning Services department, explained the need for a new school, stating that there are a high number of young children living in the area, that the population is increasing and there is a lack of space in existing primary schools.
The officer gave an example of how difficult things had become for families, telling the audience that there are currently 61 families travelling to more than one primary school each morning as both local schools, (Owler Brook and Whiteways), are now full. Furthermore, those without a local school place were forced to travel a long way outside the area for their education.
Money for new schools
A Council finance official told the meeting that finance for the new primary had been made available through a central Government fund, which enabled local authorities to obtain money for building schools when the numbers of local children reach a certain level.
The audience, were told that £11 million was now in place for 2 new schools in the area – one in Shirecliffe and one in Fir Vale, providing each with a budget of £5.5 million for its construction. The proposal is due to go to the Council’s cabinet in November for an ‘in principle decision’.
Flood risk area
The audience, including members of a local mosque, staff members from Parkwood Academy and residents were shown a plan drawing of the land at Skinnerthorpe Road, which included a newly designated ‘flood area’ covering about two thirds of the land previously occupied by houses.
Christine Rose, the Council's regeneration officer, explained that, with this new risk in mind, any building would now have to be designed to cope with the possibility of flooding. She outlined the proposals for the new primary school, which would be located on land just outside the floor risk area at the Bagley Road end of Skinnerthorpe, neighbouring Fir Vale School.
Residents' questions
Finally, residents and local representatives were given the opportunity to ask questions. Staff from Parkwood Academy expressed their concern about the potential knock-on effects for local secondary schools, who base their annual intake and strategic plan on projected pupil numbers.
Frustration and anger
A number of local residents and community representatives expressed their anger and frustration at the lack of regeneration and development of the area in the past. Councillors were criticised for neglecting the area and backing out of promises to replace demolished housing on Skinnerthorpe and Bagley Roads. Representatives from the mosque also reminded Councillors that previous plans for the site had included ‘community facilities’.
“Unrepresentative”
There was also criticism of the Council for not promoting the meeting more widely and involving more women in the consultation, with one local representative pointing out that there were “no mothers from the local community present”. Residents asked that any consultation should be representative and that their views should be taken into account before any developments take place. The Messenger will post details of any future meetings if they are announced.
“What about housing?”
Over 100 homes were demolished on Skinnerthorpe and Bagley Roads during the nationwide Housing Market Renewal programme, begun in 2002. Since then, no new housing has been built to replace those lost in Fir Vale and now the Government funding has ceased. Council housing on nearby Earl Marshal Road was also demolished at the same time, with a promise to rebuild family homes in its place.
Christine Rose told the Messenger that the Council plans to build new homes on Earl Marshal Road in partnership with ‘Keepmoat Housing’ and ‘Great Places’ as the Sheffield Housing Company. The planned start for building will be brought forward 1 year with community consultation beginning in April 2013 and construction hoped to start in October 2014. Currently, the Council have not released any plans to renew housing on Skinnerthorpe and Bagley Roads.
What was planned for Skinnerthorpe?
The Council's Fir Vale Masterplan from 2005 showed extensive redevelopment proposals for the Skinnerthorpe and Bagley Road site including new homes and flats, a cluster of community facilites with housing for elderly people, new shops along Owler Lane with residential accommodations and an improved road layout.
Demolition of homes on Skinnerthorpe and Bagley Roads was originally carried out in preparation for regeneration of the area in-line with the agreed Fir Vale Masterplan, but construction has yet to be started.
