COUNCILLORS are set to give the green light to a multi-million pound plan to relocate York's Manor School.

The school's governors want to replace the building with a state-of-the-art campus about 400 yards from the existing site in Low Poppleton Lane.

The plan will come before a meeting of City of York Council's executive committee on Tuesday and officers have recommended it for approval.

Councillors will be asked for £3.5 million towards the scheme, and to agree a land swap with the Diocese of York for the new site off Millfield Lane.

The report by Patrick Scott, director of learning, culture and children's services, and Simon Wiles, director of resources, describes the present school building as "unsuitable and seriously undersized".

The report said: "There has been considerable concern over the limitations the building places on sports activities and community access in particular, and its overall inaccessibility and failure to meet modern building standards."

The school was built in the 1960s, and was designed for 350 children.

Since then, a series of extensions have enlarged its capacity to 630, but it is constantly oversubscribed. The new school will have room for 900 pupils.

"It is anticipated that the enlargement will allow those parents and carers who wish to send their children to this popular and successful school to be able to achieve this wish," the report said.

The new school, which it is hoped will be established by early 2009, will benefit from £13.5 million of Government cash, with the sale of the old site making up the remaining £4 million the school has to find.

The report said: "As with most small schools nationally, its budget is limited and it recognises the need to update its facilities and environment to provide a truly modern and progressive education.

"This can only really be achieved through a replacement of the present building."

A consultation showed overwhelming backing for the plans, with 83 per cent of parents approving the expansion to 900 pupils, and 91 per cent favouring the relocation.

Responses from members of the public showed 100 per cent backing for both changes.

New timetable at the Manor

UNDER the plans being considered on Tuesday, York's Manor School would move from Low Poppleton Lane to Millfield Lane.

If councillors give the green light to the scheme, the newly-built school could open its doors to extra pupils within three years. Council chiefs would work to this schedule:

  • Summer, 2006 Architect produces plans for design of new school
  • September, 2006 Planning application to be submitted
  • March, 2007 Building work to start
  • January, 2009 Transfer of pupils to new school
  • September, 2009 First enlarged intake of 180 Year 7 pupils.