School to build classroom over pond (From Daily Echo)

School to build classroom over pond

7:40am Monday 26th July 2010 in

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A HAMPSHIRE school has had the go-ahead for a controversial plan to put a temporary classroom over its pond.

St Bede Primary in Winchester says it is essential to accommodate the school’s growing number of pupils. But some parents have opposed the idea saying it is contrary to the green messages that are part of the curriculum.

The school says the pond – which was the brainchild of parent David Crudgington and opened in 1998 – has not been used for about five years.

Hampshire County Council has granted the school permission to have the double classroom on its site until August 2014. One of the conditions includes returning it to a wildlife area once the building has been removed.

The school’s original plan of putting a temporary classroom in nearby St Peter’s car park had been blocked by objections from the Environment Agency.

Head teacher Louise Fitzpatrick said plans for a permanent extension to the school are under way and it is hoped that parents will be able to view them in the autumn.