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5 March 2009: Norwich Evening News

Rackheath could get new school under eco-town plan
by Kim Briscoe

An education committee is to discuss the possibility of a new high school for Rackheath to meet the needs of an eco-town and wider development across the north east of the city.

A growth strategy is being drawn up to plan for 36,000 dwellings to be built in the Greater Norwich Development Partnership (GNDP) area.

The joint core strategy is for authorities to plan ahead so they can ensure there is the necessary social and physical infrastructure to ensure they are building sustainable communities and not just housing.

Norfolk County Council's children's services department believes that schools and other education provision will be crucial to the success of these new communities.

The department has drawn up a report to be considered by the children's services overview and scrutiny panel next week, which states: "New schools at the heart of a community will bring significant educational, community and transport benefits. Nevertheless, decision on location of school must also be based on the viability of schools."

While the proposed eco-town of 3,400 homes for Rackheath is not thought to be enough to support a new high school on its own, a total of 10,000 homes are planned to be built in the north east of the greater Norwich area over a 15 to 20-year time period.

The county council, which is in charge of education, believes over a longer timescale this is "likely to be sufficient in aggregate to justify new secondary provision".

It says there would need to be 6,000 new family homes, or more, to justify a new high school.

Building Partnerships, the developer of the eco-community, is keen to have new schools on the site.

Paul Knowles, of Building Partnerships, said: "We are proposing a sustainable development so schools and education are at the heart of low-carbon living and at the heart of the community.

"Our masterplan outlines plans for two primary schools and one secondary school."

He said teaching people about low-carbon living would be key to the success of the development and the best way would be to start with schools which had a sustainable agenda at the heart of the curriculum.

The council recognises it must ensure the space needed for future schools is clarified with developers at an early stage.

The panel will be asked to give the go-ahead for officers to liaise with the developers in seeking to secure land allocations for 0-19 education provision at Rackheath.

Chris Hey, head of children's services planning and buildings, said: "The proposals remain at an early stage, but the county council will explore how, where and when these additional school places could be provided."