Archive - Friday, 26 April 2002


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Ryedale school tackles setback

TEACHERS at a Ryedale village school have vowed to fight on in their battle to secure more classroom space.

New building regulations brought in this month mean that Luttons County Primary is no longer allowed to add a conservatory-style extension to the existing reception class.

Staff at the school were hoping to create additional room for a nursery space to accommodate younger children not yet old enough to start school full time.

But they suffered a major setback when they realised the plans no longer complied to 'greener' rules.

Headteacher Tracey Gilbank said: "We are not allowed to build anything with a glass roof because it is not environmentally friendly.

"But we can't afford a bricks and mortar extension so yet again we are stuck at square one.

"It's a year's work which has been wiped out because we can't go ahead."

Mrs Gilbank said they were shocked to learn their hard work had been in vain.

She said: "We felt like all the wind had been taken out of our sails.

"We are seeing the setback as temporary, but it really has dealt us a blow, we are devastated."

Mrs Gilbank said the school had big plans to adapt to the ever-growing population Luttons School serves.

She said: "We are forward thinking and we know there is a lot of building opportunity in the outlying villages.

"We have everything here for the children except the space and we need the council to put the money where their mouth is."

She said the school would have to apply for more grant aid to fund an ambitious scheme for a brick extension to the classroom.

She added: "We want to get the building arranged so we are ready for the future and we can take these extra children on."

Tony Webster, from North Yorkshire County Council, said he was aware that the school could no longer embark on the project they had set their sights on.

He said: "We have stepped in now and we are going to send an architect out to help the school draw up a scheme.

"Let's hope it can be resolved and we can put together a suitable scheme which meets everybody's needs."

Updated: 08:55 Friday, April 26, 2002