Planners back new £3m creative media centre at Manor CE School (From York Press)

Planners back new £3m creative media centre at Manor CE School

8:17am Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to build a community media centre at a York school has been unanimously approved by the city council’s planning committee.

Manor CE School will now use its £3 million government grant to build a two-story creative media building including a recording studio, drama and dance studios, theatre and radio station, at the school’s new Millfield Lane home.

Addressing a City of York Council planning committee in the Guildhall, Manor head teacher Brian Crosby urged councillors to back the scheme not just for Manor but for “all the schools in city”.

A second application from the school to turn nearby unused agricultural land into sports pitches, allotments and landscaped open space also got the unanimous backing of councillors.

Coun Ian Gillies acknowledged concerns from nearby residents of possible anti-social behaviour, but voted for the scheme.

Coun Richard Moore said: “I would be delighted to see this go forward and to involve the use of the community. I think it’s an excellent opportunity.”

Other applications which were also given the go ahead by members included a plan by the Castle Museum to relocate its café from the first floor to the ground floor, including exterior tables and a “café pod”.

Coun Brian Watson raised objections over customers being “plagued by geese” from the nearby River Foss and described the plan as “badly thought-out.” Coun Sonja Crisp also raised questions over the possibility of noise disturbing proceedings at the nearby York Crown Court. The plan, however, was passed by a majority of members. Measurement Devices Limited was also successful in its bid to build a two-storey headquarters and research facility at Northminster Business Park in Upper Poppleton.

The facility would be used to develop the company’s laser measurement technology and as a base for its European, African and Asian operations.