FIELDS Campaign
fields opposes the closure of Lady Bay school and building new schools on the floodplain east of lady bay
We have many concerns about the current proposals, which are described in this West Bridgford Wire article.
- Lady Bay Primary school has been at the heart of our community ever since it was built. Moving it away will mean a very long walk to school or, much more likely, children being taken there by car, reducing exercise and greatly increasing pollution. Local businesses will be badly affected and some may have to close, perhaps including some of the pre-schools.
The Environment Agency says that the site chosen is at “high risk” of flooding and it’s also in the green belt. Everyone in Lady Bay knows the fields flood after heavy rain – and of course, when they do, that reduces the risk of flooding in our houses and in communities further down the river.
- The proposed site is downwind of the biggest source of pollution in the area: the A52 and the big roundabout at the junction with the A6011. Two new schools on a rural site close to Lady Bay will themselves increase pollution, both from the buildings and from the necessity of children arriving by car.
- If the schools were to be built, it would give the green light to developers to build new housing estates on the adjoining fields.
- The County Council made no effort to consult local people before choosing Regatta Way as their preferred site and have already spent £455,000 on an initial Feasibility Study. We say that Lady Bay school can be redeveloped on its current site (see below) and that the new secondary school should be built on the other side of West Bridgford, where there is the greatest need for school places. The only reason for this unsuitable site being chosen is that the Council owns the land – but they also own other better-placed land, closer to the main communities that would be served by a new secondary school.
- The plan is completely contrary to recent statements by the County Council on protecting the environment.
Our County Councillor, Penny Gowland, is currently surveying community opinions and you can have your say via this link - https://padlet.com/ppzpag/lshg97wat324jbi2
Read on for more detail or, to get involved, contact FIELDS on [email protected]
Lady Bay school relocation - the Alternative
Lady Bay school is a Victorian Grade II listed building and can’t currently provide the best learning environment for local children. But it can be redeveloped on its current site, with relatively little disruption to staff and children, to provide the best 21st century education and facilities.
The building with the tower has to be retained as it is grade 2 listed. But in fact it is already a flexible space and can be adapted accordingly. The rest of the site could be developed, if necessary with increased capacity, utilising a tiered structure such as that shown here (similar to the Marlborough Primary School example shown here).
A local architect, Alan Wright, has produced a series of drawings which show the sort of redevelopment of the school that we can all be proud of. His criteria for the outline plan are:
- A safe and protective boundary to the school
- An outer zone to filter out pollution
- New buildings that work together with the existing listed building
- The provision of new flexible space for school and community events
- New classrooms built to 21st century standards
- Maximum external space for social, play and educational activity
- High sustainability for the future
- A creative environment for children, staff and the community
- Adaptability for future needs and environmental improvements
- Continuity with the original building
For a lot more on the potential of the current site, see our dedicated page on Schools.
Think you can design something better? If you use Minecraft, here's your chance. Download the Lady Bay School template from this zip file and have a go at creating your own alternative design. If you don't use Minecraft, here is a YouTube video of the Minecraft model. If we aren't careful, the kids will design it for us!
LADY BAY school - alternatives to relocation
These examples have been compiled by Alan Wright into a set of display boards that will be available to view at various events throughout the summer.
keep in touch
The FIELDS Steering Group will make sure that local people have their voice heard and will circulate details of the legally-required public consultation as soon as they are available. This is not a “done deal” and the Council must listen to those who will be most affected. If you would like regular updates, please email us at - [email protected] and we will put you on our contact list.
or
Go to the FIELDS Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/940753149818906/