A SCHOOL in Malmesbury is considering a major expansion to cope with a future influx of children to the town.

Malmesbury C of E Primary School is weighing up a number of options as the town prepares for a squeeze on primary schools places ahead of the expansion of the Dyson headquarters.

Money for an extension to the primary has been included in plans submitted by Persimmon Homes for a major housing development, and the school is currently preparing a response.

Persimmon Homes would pay for the school to expand as part of the agreement for building 231 homes at the Backbridge Farm site.

A statement from the school said: “We are carefully considering the possible expansion of the school and are keen to hear the views of all stakeholders.

“This could be an opportunity to enhance the provision for all children at our school, but there would also be difficulties to overcome.”

An initial plan to expand the school by around 100 pupils – the number Wiltshire Council recommended ans offered to fund – was scrapped because it would mean mixed age classes, which governors described as “unacceptable”.

The school said that if expansion does go ahead it must be “full form”, meaning one additional class for each year group, increasing capacity by 210 pupils to a total of 630.

This option would require “considerable funding over and above that which is available” in the proposed contribution from Persimmon Homes, according to the school.

The statement added: “We are therefore currently exploring possible sources of additional funding.

“The governors have engaged architects to examine how the buildings can be extended in a way which retains and enhances the existing provision.

“We will be keeping parents up-to-date as and when we have any further news to communicate.”

This move would provide “significant benefits to the school and to the town as a whole” headteacher Steve Heal said in a letter sent out to parents and guardians.

“We have now decided to pursue this option further by approaching potential donors.,” he added.

“Future expansion is still only a possibility, but it is one step closer.”

Another option is for Malmesbury C of E to stay as it is, which would mean a new school would likely be built at Filands to cater for 210 pupils, with central government funding.

But Mr Heal said in his letter: “We do not think that a separate new school would be ideal for the town, because some families would be split between the schools.”

Malmesbury town councillor Roger Budgen, chair of the planning and environment committee, said the authority “fully supports the neighbourhood plan which contains the recommendation that additional primary school capacity is best provided from an extension to the existing Malmesbury Primary site, with all the [Persimmon] contributions being directed towards this option.”

He added: “How the detail of this aspiration might be delivered is a matter that the town council is content to leave to the school professionals.

“Upon advice during the preparation of the neighbourhood plan, the split site option was considered the least best option and educationally undesirable.”

New housing at the 31-acre site at Backbridge Farm, which is currently agricultural fields behind the Dyson factory car park, are included in the Malmesbury Neighbourhood Plan, but only 170 homes were allocated originally.

Cllr Budgen has aired concerns over whether the town’s infrastructure can cope with the 231 homes planned by Persimmon.

“We’re content the site is one of the best for development, but there is concern about this significant increase in houses,” he said.

“We will be looking into that and the reasons why they’ve increased the number by 36 per cent.

“Any increase is a concern as to whether primary education in the town can cope.

“Bear in mind we have already had to accept 180 homes at Filands which were shoehorned into the neighbourhood plan at a late stage.”

Cllr Simon Killane, Wiltshire Council member for Malmesbury, believes the Backbridge Farm plans, which include 40 per cent affordable housing, provide a positive opportunity for the town.

“There will be a focus on starter homes, as there is a real issue about young people getting on the property ladder.,” he told the Standard.

“The reality is as the population grows, the school will have to grow, and with the Dyson expansion, there will be more pressure on school places in a couple of years.”

Malmesbury resident Paul Barton supports the plans. He said: “It’s about time Malmesbury had more housing and an extension to the primary school.

“The school needs upgrading so that more students in the area can attend a school in the town, instead of being directed to other schools in the area.”

The original plans were put up for public consultation earlier this year, with a revised scheme now submitted by Persimmon.

Richard Briggs, managing director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, said the company would work with the community and Wiltshire Council “to deliver the aspirations identified for the site in the neighbourhood plan”.

“The proposals include residential dwellings of mixed types and tenures, public access along the adjacent river corridor, an equipped area of play and land for the potential expansion of Malmesbury Primary School,” he said.

A public meeting will be held by the town council, to discuss the plans, on Tuesday, August 9, at Malmesbury town hall at 6pm.

Residents will be able to comments on the plans until August 18.

For more information, visit wiltshrie.gov.uk and search planning application 16/06401/FUL