Plans to expand Pudsey Greenside School could leave Leeds City Council with a bill £1.8 million higher than originally expected.
Council chiefs are wanting to expand the primary school from 315 to 420 pupils in a bid to meet increasing demand for places – but had costed the works at £2.5 million.
A council report released this week said the cost currently stood at around £4.3 million.
The report said the original budget was based on the proviso that additional classrooms would be built in the roof void at the Victorian school but pointed out ‘safety regulations governing partial collapse, which govern this type of construction, have changed in the interim’. It adds:
“Following the appointment of the project construction partner it has also become apparent that this proposed solution presents both technical and health and safety challenges, as such it is no longer financially viable to proceed with this concept.
“The current £4.3m cost estimate reflects this and the need to provide a new teaching block, along with extensive works to the kitchen, in lieu of works to the first floor roof void.”
The report adds that council chiefs are confident of lowering the £4.3 million costs before final expansion plans for the school are finalised, probably in November.
Meanwhile, the council has approved £574,000 of work ahead of the main building work starting. This includes installing temporary accommodation, remodelling of toilets, installing a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) to offset a reduction in play space and partially build a car park which will be used as a site compound. Work will be carried out by builders Kier Construction Northern.
The permanent expansion at Greenside Primary School is currently scheduled to be complete in November 2018. Full plans for the school include:
- Remodelling of the Reception classes.
- A new two storey extension which will include five new Key Stage 2 classrooms and group space and toilets.
- Demolish and rebuild the existing 1970s extension to create a new kitchen.
- Remodelling of circulation to make a more logical flow through the school.