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School plans to boost Yarm economy

A school has submitted plans for a £20m redevelopment to expand its facilities. If given the go-ahead, the plans for Yarm School could provide a welcome boost to the area.

The independent school is hoping that Stockton Borough Council’s planning committee approves its proposals to expand the facilities on the site.

Plans include a 750-seater auditorium, performance centre, teaching facilities, dining hall, all-weather sports pitch and expansion to the fitness suite.

Headteacher David Dunn said the decision to expand came after the school was last year refused permission to move to a 120-acre site at Town End Farm, off the A67, on the outskirts of the town, near Stockton.

At the time, he said he was ‘dismayed and bewildered’ at the decision to refuse the £50m project because it contravened regional and national policies.

He said: “Obviously the plan was to move to a new site, but a year ago, we were refused permission, so in the end we decided not to appeal and chose to commit ourselves fully to Yarm and improve our current site.

“Quite a lot of people asked us to stay when we were looking at moving and I don’t think we fully realised the impact it would have had. Local businesses have told how important it is for them that we decided to stay, as our parents, even those who live outside the area, bring in a lot of trade.”

Mr Dunn said he hoped everyone would benefit from the facilities, in particular the auditorium, which would attract top-class performers.

“We have received a lot of support for these plans and if we get approval, we plan to use local contractors and materials.”

The plans, which are recommended for approval, will be considered by the council’s planning committee on Wednesday. If passed, work will start in the summer holidays and will continue until Easter 2011.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .