Boom in number of Castel kids cycling

Saturday 06 July 2024

Cycling to school has grown so popular at one parish primary that its bike shelter needs extending.

Castel Primary School this week said its existing shelter is over capacity, and asked for patience from pupils and parents and carers as the matter is dealt with.

The school is hoping to get a new bike shelter installed as soon as possible.

That will take at least eight weeks with planning permission required, meaning it may be ready just in time for the new school term in September. 

In the meantime, the overflow bike racks behind the school's music hut remain in use for pupils cycling to and from school over the last two weeks of this term.

Pictured: Castel Primary School is seeing the success of encouraging active travel.

A spokesperson for the States' Development and Planning Authority confirmed that the school won't have to pay to lodge a planning application but statutory processes must be followed meaning an application for a new bike shelter will be considered as any other is, including a three-week public consultation period to gauge whether there is any opposition to the proposal. 

“States Development by States of Guernsey service areas does not require an application fee," the spokesperson explained.

“A planning application for this type of development is likely to take around eight weeks to determine in line with the timeframe for most other applications. 

“Once an application has been received and validated, there is a three-week public consultation. Any matters raised during the consultation are then considered before a report and recommendation are prepared and a decision is made.”