Proposed Cambourne Secondary School

A NEW 750-pupil secondary school to serve Cambourne’s rapidly growing population has been granted planning permission.

Secondary school aged children living in the village currently go to Comberton Village College – the catchment area school.

Pupils in certain year groups, who cannot be accommodated at the school, are offered places at Chesterton Community College or other nearby schools.

As Comberton Village College had indicated it will not have sufficient places to meet the demand from its catchment area from 2013, plans were put in place for a new school.

Today (Friday), at Cambridgeshire County Council’s development control committee meeting, councillors approved plans for the new school which will be built to the north-west of Lower Cambourne, near Cambourne Business Park.

The two-storey building with a central corridor, sports hall, a dining hall and classrooms running off either side, will accommodate 750 pupils and 100 staff when fully occupied.

It will be built on the western side of Cambourne, adjacent to Lower Cambourne and the Business Park - close to the offices of South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Access for vehicles will be from Sheepfold Lane, but the county council – which submitted the application – hope the majority of pupils will walk and cycle, since the school’s catchment area will be limited to Cambourne.

Cllr David Harty, cabinet member for learning said: “I am delighted that the go-ahead has been given for this school. Cambourne has expanded and has more houses than originally planned, and I am impressed that officers have identified the need for secondary school places, anticipated the challenges and found a sustainable solution. I look forward to welcoming the first pupils in September 2013.”

Chairman of the district council Cllr Tony Orgee said: “Cambourne has grown larger than originally planned and a secondary school is vital.”