Great Yarmouth Northgate school classroom bid blocked

Northgate Primary School in Great Yarmouth had hoped to install a new modular building to be used as a classroom on its site, which included three toilets and a kitchenette.

It said it was necessary to build the building due to an increasing number of early year pupils as well as the need to additional one-to-one teaching spaces across the school.

The school currently has about 450 pupils and has two main buildings. 

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Where the previous modular unit was located at the school before it was moved in 2018 (Image: Google)

The modular unit would have replaced a previous classroom, which was moved to another school in 2018.

Despite there being a similar structure at the same location previously, planning officials at Great Yarmouth Borough Council decided to block the bid.

Officers were concerned that the new classroom would be located in a Flood Risk Zone 3 - one of the highest risk levels used to determine how likely flood events are.

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They said there was not enough evidence to show the development would be resilient to cope with any emergency, such as having adequate safe access and escape routes.

The school is located only 300m away from the River Bure.

Northgate Primary School is a short distance from the River Bure (Image: Google)

In addition, there were fears the temporary lifespan of the modular building meant it was not an appropriate long-term solution for the growing school's needs.

Norfolk Constabulary also raised concerns the building may not be secure enough as there was not enough information to prove this.

The planning officer said in a report: "Unfortunately, this development is not considered to represent sustainable or an acceptable form of development and has therefore been refused."

The school has been approached for comment.