Controversial plans to rip up a beloved Bolton park and build a secondary school have been scrapped. Haslam Park, in Deane, had been earmarked as the preferred site to build a high school in the area but Bolton Council confirmed it is now completely off the table.
The Town Hall cited a fall in the projections of school places needed from September 2028 onwards. It is hoped that the expansion of existing schools and the eventual completion of the King's Leadership Academy, close to Great Lever and Farnworth Golf Club, will help short-term.
However it was revealed earlier this month that the opening of that 900-capacity school has been delayed by at least a year. Bolton Council are now in discussions with the Department for Education (DfE) to 'consider next steps to meet the demand for places'.
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"The Council has been reviewing the need for a new secondary school in the Rumworth area with the Department of Education as data has shown future pressure on secondary school places across Bolton with a focus on this area," a Bolton Council spokesman said. The DfE-led project proposes building a new school in response to the expected future pressure in that part of the borough and Haslam Park had been looked at as a possible site.
Whilst pupil projections are volatile especially due to the pandemic, the latest data is now showing a reduction in expected numbers admitted to Bolton secondary schools from September 2028 onwards. As a result, the project for a new school will remain under review and the Council has taken the decision that the site at Haslam Park will definitely not be considered as possible site for the DfE. Future pupil projections will be monitored closely.
"The Council are in discussions with the DfE to consider next steps to meet the demand for places and this includes expansions of existing schools and ensuring the completion of the Kings Leadership Academy in Harper Green."
Councillor Adele Warren, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "Releasing sites to the DfE for a development of a new school was always dependent on the need for additional places for the foreseeable future. As the longer term projections are not demonstrating this need, I’m pleased we can confirm that Haslam Park will not be developed and will remain open public space.”
The leader of the Council, Councillor Martyn Cox added: "We can reassure residents that Haslam Park will remain as it is. There is still the important need to provide additional school places over the next few years. We will continue to work with the DfE on all options to provide additional places including expanding existing schools. This may result in some children travelling a longer distance to access education. We will also work with the DfE to ensure the build of the King's Leadership Academy is completed to provide much needed places in the area."
