THE headteacher of a school in Warminster has welcomed funding for a major expansion but residents have raised concerns about the impact of the work on the school’s neighbours.

Princecroft Primary School, in Princecroft Lane, has received funding for a new sports hall and a major internal redesign to take place over the next 18 months.

But residents on the neighbouring Westleigh estate are concerned that they were only given two and a half working days’ notice when the initial public consultation meeting was announced and that it was held during working hours, so lots of people were unable to attend.

Residents are also worried about traffic and congestion on Westleigh, a designated Home Zone, which means pedestrians and vehicles have the same right of way. There are also strict Highways Agency guidelines on the volume of traffic at peak times. 

Former town councillor Jamie Cullen, of The Green, Crockerton, said: “You just can’t imagine a 30-tonne construction lorry coming through the Home Zone, it’s not possible.

“What’s more, The school only invited parents of pupils to the public consultation event, meaning there was no consideration of those poor souls who will have to put up with this traffic.”

A resident of Westleigh Road, who did not want to be named, said: “I am an absolute supporter of well provided education and Princecroft is an admirable institution.

“But with the school expanding there will be a lot more traffic from parents, not to mention large construction vehicles, and it will just become a complete bottleneck.

“This happens with lorries and other traffic now, so you can only imagine what it will be like during term time.

“The development is only viable if an alternative permanent access route is provided, but the public has been denied an opportunity to speak on this matter through a public consultation.”

The construction of the hall on the back of the old kitchen and the internal redesign will increase the school from five to seven classes.

In a newsletter, headteacher Michael Park said: “Staff have worked incredibly hard to give the children an outstanding learning environment, but the layout has been a concern for us for a number of years.

“We are delighted to say we have been given funding for our major development and expansion.

“Staff and governors have been closely involved in the development of the plans and we are delighted with how they look.”