School extension drainage concern

PLANS to add an extension onto a primary school in Chadderton were approved by councillors.

On Wednesday night councillors convened at a planning committee meeting to vote whether or not the extension at St Herbert's RC Primary School on Edward Street, Chadderton should go ahead.

The plans will include a new classroom extension and the excavation of the existing grass banking to the east of the site to provide a new playground.

One resident who lives next to the site of the voiced her concerns to the committee that she felt drainage, which was already a problem for herself and neighbours, could potentially get worse.

Carole Malcolm, a resident, said: "My main concerns is mainly the drainage and the flooding.

"There is a drainage problem effecting the site problem effecting the site and it is because we are at the bottom end of the slope.

"The funds are not available to address this problem.

"My neighbour had to call up the fire brigade because of a flooding problem in her property.

"After heavy rain I can see all the heavy rain trickling down into a soak way."

Ms Malcolm highlighted that with the extension of the playground grass and soil which would usually soak up water would be replaced by tarmac and would create worse drainage.

The council has recognised that there is a problem with drainage on the site and the approved the scheme on the basis that that would be addressed.