Re-vamp spells bright future for school...

Published on 5th April 2007 in News

Three planning applications which could see a massive facelift at Vermuyden School in Goole are set to be discussed at the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) today (Thursday).

Meeting in Beverley this morning, members of the planning committee will consider the applications which, if approved, could see buildings at the back of the school demolished and replaced with improved facilities including a sports centre, car park and youth centre.

The first application, submitted by the Director of Children, Family and Adult Services, would see a replacement gymnasium, changing rooms, youth centre and extended services centre, as well as associated pedestrian and vehicular access and car parking within the school grounds.

The application has been welcomed by many, but Sport England, formerly the English Sports Council, has objected as the proposed site forms part of the existing playing field and would result in a substantial loss of playing field land.

The second application, again put forward by the Director of Children, Families and Adult Services, is to be discussed today and would see the erection of a new teaching block to replace existing buildings to the rear of the original school buildings, along with the creation of additional parking and footpaths within the site.

Members of Goole Town Council have welcomed the two applications, but have asked that Tree Preservation Orders are placed on a number of trees in the area, and that piling works should not take place during unsociable hours.

The third application for listed building consent at Vermuyden School has been submitted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and relates only to alterations to the existing school buildings that are proposed in the two concurrent planning applications.

ERYC planning officers have advised that if approved, the applications would 'enhance the character and setting' of Vermuyden School, and would not have an adverse effect on the character of the local area or neighbouring amenities.

But members of the planning committee are set to defer decisions on all three applications today until outstanding consultations have been received and the application has been referred to Secretary of State under playing fields direction. If no further problems or objections arise relating to each application, the plans are set to be approved.

...but casts shadow over group's future

The town's longest-running amateur dramatics groups is facing disbandment if it cannot find a new home.

Goole Amateur Operatics and Dramatics Society (GAODS), who last year performed their centenary show to a packed-out hall, have said they will not be able to perform at Vermuyden School after it is given its £15 million facelift because there will no longer be a permanent stage.

"The architect suggested we could have a rostrum," said the group's secretary, Jean Williams.

"But no rostrum's going to stand 80 people on it."

Single-sex dressing rooms large enough to accommodate the cast of 80 or so could also be a problem.

And although the town could have new theatre space in the form of Goole Town Council's new arts centre, it will not be big enough to accommodate audience at GAODS' shows, which regularly sell out more than 300 seats per night.

Brian Robertson, clerk to Goole Town Council, said the council would be glad to help GAODs and other groups to apply for lottery funding for their own buildings but the plans for the arts centre have already gone out to tender and cannot be changed.

"We shall have to try and find an alternative," said GAODS chairman Arnold Chappell.

"We'll probably have to go out of town, which is a pity."

Secretary Jean Williams added: "I think it's disastrous.

"I've been in education all my life and I know all about schools' needs but schools only use the building 40 weeks out of 52, for about 35 hours a week at the most.

"For the remainder of the school year, it should be at the service of the community."

"It's such a shame," added Doreen Chappell, the group's director and producer.

However, a spokesperson for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council said the proposals have been made only after a wide range of potential user groups, students and staff were consulted and a public open day held.

"Our consultation has suggested that the stage is not a requirement of the school and limits the potential of the existing hall for them," he said.

"The new hall will be about one-third larger than the existing one and will also be much more flexible.

"The new social/external spaces spaces formed will also create opportunities for outside performances of drama/dance etc.

"In addition to the new hall, the proposal will create two new 90 square metre drama spaces with the ability to be joined together for smaller-scale performances and rehearsals.

"The new facilities in our view will offer a much broader range of flexible opportunities for the school and community."