Planning approval takes free school bid to next level
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A bid to create a free school at Heyford Park took a big step forward when plans to convert two former US Air Force buildings were accepted last week.
The new Heyford Park Free School in Upper Heyford has already been granted permission to open this September by the Department for Education.
But the plans could have suffered a major setback if the application to change the use of two former military buildings had been rejected on Thursday.
Councillor James Macnamara, of the Astons and Heyfords ward, said: “This project is very strongly supported locally – particularly once there are 1,000 houses here. The more children going to school on site the better.
“The issue is that the free school has a provisional arrangement with the Education Funding Authority. It can’t be finalised until they’ve got planning permission on site.
“At the same time they’re open for applications for 60 children in each year group.
“There’s an awful lot of parents and an awful lot of children who now need planning permission.”
The permission means the school can now get a formal funding agreement with the Department for Education.
The plans centre on Building 583, a former USAF sports hall, and Building 74, the former officers’ mess.
The ‘all-through’ school will take children from age four to 19, and is due to fully open in 2019, when is should have 840 pupils.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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