Councillors to decide whether Nunnery Wood High School in Worcester can extend its car park

A planning application was put forward by Nunnery Wood High School in Spetchley Road in Worcester to build a 34-space car park as the over-subscribed school plans to expand by 150 pupils in the next couple of years.

The school said it wants to expand its car park to avoid further issues on the already-congested Spetchley Road which is used by students and staff at Worcester Sixth Form College, County Hall and Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The application has been sent to the city council’s planning committee for a decision at the request of Councillor Chris Mitchell, chairman of the planning committee, over the “justification provided for the increase in parking and loss of green space” according to a planning report.

The same planning report compiled by council officers said recommended the plan should be approved by councillors when they meet this week.

The report said the planning application had indicated “more than sufficient detail” to justify approving it and was considered “well-designed” in addressing existing parking problems at the school.

A decision was expected to be made on the car park in December last year but was rescheduled to allow for the council’s planning committee to decide on the plan.

In the planning application, Mark Skyrme, director of business and operations at Nunnery Wood, said more spaces were needed to accommodate casual music teachers and part-time exam invigilators and it was "vitally important" the school did all it could to stop people parking in Spetchley Road.

Neighbours had also raised concerns about the plan saying the current park park was not properly used and there was no need to tarmac over more grass.

Neighbours were also concerned light pollution, if more lights were installed, would effect the privacy of their back gardens and have a negative effect on wildlife.

The city council's planning committee meets from 1.30pm in the Guildhall on Thursday (February 20).