A MASSIVE grant has put Witton Church Walk CE Primary one step closer to being able to build a new school with improved facilities and access.

The primary school, which is a Christian aided school, has been actively attempting to raise the £300,000 needed to build a new school.

However, the Department for Skills and Education has recently agreed to pay 90 per cent of the cost of the new building, which means the school is now in a position to apply for planning permission from Vale Royal Borough Council

Geoff Turnbull the head of education for the Chester Diocese said: "The old school is in such a poor state it turned out that it would cost as much to repair it as it would to build a new school and then it is so expensive to run. This is why we have been given the grant.

"We are delighted. To get this sum of money has taken a lot of negotiating and hard work."

Planning permission has been lodged for the new school, which will be sited behind the current one, with a two story teaching block. Plans also include demolition of the old school to make way for improved access and parking facilities.

Phased

The building work will be phased in such a way as to create as little disruption as possible to the children's education.

The fundraising to raise the final 10 per cent will continue although the school will receive help from the Chester Diocese.

The borough council's planning committee will review the submitted plans in the next couple of months.

scorrigan@guardiangrp.co.uk