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The public consultation period for the planning application for extending the two sites which will make up the new Lisia School could be left open until January after concerns were raised over its Christmas deadline.
The applications to make changes at the current Les Beaucamps and St Sampson's High school sites were only lodged this week, and under the rules the Development and Planning Authority has to work to, that means the consultation period would close on 27 December.
As that falls immediately after Christmas, with most parents currently busy with end of term plays and other commitments, some people have been concerned they might not be aware of the planning application and may miss the deadline to have their say.
St Sampson Douzenier Leonie Le Tissier was among the first to raise concerns, questioning the logic of asking for public opinions at such a busy time of year.
Planning applications for extending the 2 schools. Am I being cynical in that this is one of the busiest times of the year and end of consultation is 27 December? It’s going to take 21 days to read the TIA, let alone write a representation pic.twitter.com/virK6oz5zd
— Leonie Le Tissier (@LeonieLeTissier) December 11, 2019
Ms Le Tissier also said that she would have no problem with the consultation period "if the planners can give an extension to the three weeks" and that "there is a lot to consider on this application and making representations need research first and I expect Frossard House will be extremely busy for those wanting to view the full application."
Vale Deputy Mary Lowe echoed Ms Le Tissier's concerns and said she has formally asked the D&PA to extend the deadline.
I have written to the political members on Planning asking if they will extend the date for submissions until end January
— Deputy Mary Lowe (@DeputyMaryLowe) December 12, 2019
21days leading up to&including the Christmas period on major plans isnt fair to those living in the area/parents of thousands children attending the schools https://t.co/qelCAkgWDx
The planning application for the current Les Beaucamps High School site asks for permission to put up new buildings, with associated external works and new vehicular access.
If approved the changes would enable the school to take more pupils when it forms the new De Saumarez College, under the 'one-school-two-sites' model being introduced.
It's estimated that around 1,400 pupils and staff will be at the new college once it opens.
The planning application for the current St Sampson's High site is similar to the one for Les Beaucamps.
If approved, it would also see external changes to the school site and new buildings put up, to cater for the estimated 1,500 pupils who will attend lessons there from September 2022 onwards.
The Baubigny site will be known as Victor Hugo College once the new Lisia School opens.
The planning applications for both the sites can be seen at gov.gg HERE.
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