BUILDINGS at the former Penkford School in Newton-le-Willows site will be demolished – with a councillor highlighting what the future could hold for the site.

The council’s application to determine if “prior approval” is required for the proposed demolition work at the site, on Wharf Road, came before St Helens Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

As recommended, the committee decided that “prior approval” is required and is granted, subject to conditions.

According to a report to the committee, the application site comprises single-storey buildings that have been used in association with the former Penkford School.

It highlighted that the site is located in the green belt – and to the north of the site are playing fields known as King George V, playing fields associated with the former school are to the east, Sankey Valley is to the south and to the west are residential properties.

Opportunity to expand

Committee member Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron, who is the deputy council leader, said: “We’ve made no secret about our commitment with this site, to exploring the opportunity of expanding KGV into it.”

Furthermore, he said “we know that football teams that used to use the pitches haven’t been able to since the school shut, so they can move back”.

“And anyone whose tried driving down Wharf Road on a morning when the football’s on knows it’s almost impossible because of the parking, and this school has got a car park, which we can now use,” he added.

Fence would be retained

The report to the committee said the existing high wire mesh fencing along the boundary of the site is to be retained on completion to secure the site.

“All existing underground utilities would be disconnected and terminated,” it added.

“All asbestos materials would be removed, to be carried out by a licenced asbestos removal contractor and disposed to a licenced waste facility.

“All slabs and tarmac hard standing (i.e., roads, playground, concrete floor slabs, and car park areas) would remain as existing.”

Yesterday, fire crews attended the site after a blaze broke out in the school buildings. Police are treating the incident as suspected arson and have appealed for information.