Plan for Selby primary school in jeopardy

Dransfield Properties was originally granted permission in 2006 to knock down Selby Abbey Primary School and extend the Morrisons store, building a new school behind the civic centre in Portholme Road.

Work was due to start on the project last month, but the recession put the scheme on hold. Dransfield Properties, however, said they still expected the scheme to begin before permission runs out next year and they have also revealed they are due to submit a new planning application for Market Cross shopping centre in the next few weeks.

Amanda Holmes, PR and marketing manager at Dransfield Properties, said: “We are continuing to work with local stakeholders and with Morrison’s to ensure that our development plans for Selby can proceed and that work can start on this important town centre scheme. We will also shortly be making an application for improvement and remodelling work to the existing Market Cross shopping centre and will be announcing further details in the coming weeks.”

The Rev Keith Richards, a governor of Selby Abbey School, urged Dransfield to make good their plans.

He said: “The present buildings are atrocious and we’re really anxious that we get a new school for the children of this town.”

Jo Jennings, head teacher at the school, said the school and governors were optimistic for the future. She said: “We’re hopeful it is still going to go ahead but in terms of timescales it could be another two years. Nothing is definite but we are hopeful.” She said that as far as the school was aware, Dransfield Properties was committed to the project, and a new school would mean better facilities for the children. These would include their own outdoor space and a modern school designed with features such as multi-media rooms in mind.

The Press also contacted Morrisons which has recently seen main rival Tesco win planning permission to increase the size of its store but the company declined to comment.