Sunderland's Willow Fields Primary School to be rebuilt on former Maplewood Primary site after plans approved

In 2019, senior councillors on Sunderland City Council’s decision-making cabinet agreed a £6.9million programme to boost capacity at three city schools.

This included extensions at Benedict Biscop and St Paul’s CE VC Primary Schools to create hundreds of extra places.

As part of the programme, almost £5million will be used to rebuild and relocate Willow Fields Primary School to a new home in the north area of Sunderland.

Pupils will move to new buildings at a site by Redcar Road following the demolition of the former Maplewood Primary School in early 2019.

The city council’s area Development Control Sub-Committee approved the plans at a meeting on Tuesday March 3.

Council planners said that Willow Fields Primary School is currently in a “poor condition” and doesn’t have enough places to meet demand from new housing developments.

The new school will offer new external play areas, a multi use games area and allow education bosses to boost capacity from 210 to 315 places.

At the meeting, councillors Heather Fagan and Michael Butler raised concerns about the impact of increased traffic at the new site.

Highways officers said that several measures will be put in place to minimise the impact- from double yellow lines and a triple speed cushion to school ‘keep clear’ markings and a raised zebra crossing.

Councillors heard that a drop off zone at the school will provide space for around 10-12 vehicles.

And start and finish times at Willow Fields will also be staggered with the nearby English Martyrs RC Primary School to prevent congestion.

The plans were approved by a unanimous vote, with planners stressing there were “clear benefits in providing a modern expanded school at the site.”

Coun Butler added: “This land has been desolate for as long as I can remember and it’s certainly a welcome development.”

The Willow Fields Primary School new build is planned for completion in 2021.