The new eco- friendly building will be built using natural materials and include a “natural retaliation systems to allow internal temperature control and special insulation will be used to help eliminate heat wastage in the cold weather.”

A new multi-use games area and playground will be included in the redevelopment and the new school will accommodate 420 students.

While this is good news for Oak Meadow these plans come just 3 years since the council closed Danesmore Park Primary due to falling numbers.

The former Danesmore building now stands derelict and a target for anti social behaviour at the top end of the Ashmore Park estate much to the disappointment of former pupils, parents and local residents, despite assurances from Wolverhampton City Council during the consultation period that this would not be allowed to happen.

So do we really need to build a whole new school when a building stands empty and with presumably less funds than are being spent on an entire rebuilding of Oak Meadow, both it and the former Danesmore site could be bought back up to the standard  fit for the purpose of teaching?

One of three applications for Unit 4b seeks permission for a “Internally illuminated ‘Nandos’ fascia sign, two internally fluorescent illuminated menuboxes and one cockerel logo to be burnt into 150mm thick reclaimed oak boarding panel”…so it looks like Nando’s Portuguese, flame-grilled PERi-PERi Chicken is on the way to Wednesfield!

Whilst there is seemingly no official news on what the City Council proposes to do with the pupils of Oak Meadow Primary whilst a construction project of this scale takes places, WV11 suggests that they could perhaps use the Danesmore Park Primary School site in Russell Close, Ashmore Park, which they closed in December 2007?

This site currently stands derelict and vandalised despite promises by councillors throughout the consultation period that this would not be allowed to happen if the school were to close.

Local residents can submit comments on the Planning Application here before the 20th August 2010.

WV11 Comment: It seems somewhat absurd that after closing a perfectly good school building less than 3 years ago (apparently due to dwindling  pupil numbers) and leaving it to rot, the council is now seeking planning permission to rebuild an entire school, presumably to cater for increased pupil numbers?

We’d love to hear your comments either on the website or on our Facebook Page.

The applicant (Mr H.S. Gill) has requested a change of use of the ground floor from retail (Use Class A1) to a dental surgery (Use Class D1).

View the full application here.

As previously reported, national chain Cosmo is due to open it’s new Pan Asian restaurant next month which will serve food from China, Japan and Mongolia, creating 38 jobs.

JD Sports is also rumoured to be on the verge of snapping up an empty unit on the retail park, bringing more jobs to the area and becoming the 2nd sports retailer on the park.

With other units recently being filled by AMF Bowling Alley, Aldi supermarket, Pure Gym, and Just For Pets (which opens on  25th March), it would seem that Bentley Bridge is finally beginning to live up to it’s potential as a retail park worth leaving the city centre to visit, 5 years after it opened.

Let’s hope this trend continues!

If you’re likely to be affected by this proposed application you can find details here. You can also find general information on planning applications by visiting the Council’s Planning Online website.

View a map of the area HERE

Essington parish council objected to the plans, claiming it would be a “blight on the greenbelt and increase in traffic” so understandably they are happy with today’s decision and so should we be in Wv11. The South Staffordshire green belt is a lovely area of natural beauty right on out doorstep.

View a map of the area HERE