Temporary classrooms built without permission

Five temporary classrooms have been built on school playing fields without planning permission, councillors have said.

Central Bedfordshire Council's education department applied for permission for the classrooms at Holywell Middle School, Cranfield.

Yet on Wednesday the authority's Development Management Committee was told installation work would finish on the day of its meeting ahead of permission being granted.

Sport England has objected due to the loss of playing field land and the plans now have to be referred to the Secretary of State before final approval.

Richard Wenham, a Conservative councillor, described it as "an appalling breach of council process", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"We rightfully take an extremely dim view if other members of the community move caravans or similar structures on a site without planning permission," he added.

Nigel Young, a Conservative councillor, suggested that this was "essentially a part-retrospective application".

It was proposed that the temporary teaching classrooms would be in place for two years to allow for other improvements at the school.

The project is part of the council's Schools for the Future programme that focuses on primary and secondary education provision.

Councillors approved the development, subject to ministerial referral, and agreed a letter be sent to the authority's chief executive to make him aware the council was "breaking planning law".

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