Plans to permanently expand Goosnargh Oliverson’s Church of England Primary School in Preston have been dropped, Lancashire County Council has confirmed, following a public consultation and further analysis of the impact on the local community.
The original proposal aimed to expand the school by one form of entry from the 2026/27 academic year, with a phased approach beginning with temporary classrooms and eventually leading to a permanent extension. The expansion had been considered in response to rising demand for school places due to significant housing development in the Goosnargh and Grimsargh areas of Preston.
However, after receiving considerable feedback from residents during the 2024 consultation, Lancashire County Council has announced it will not proceed with the permanent expansion at the Goosnargh Oliverson’s site.
Community Concerns Halt Expansion
Local residents raised several concerns during the consultation period, particularly in relation to increased traffic congestion, parking issues, and accessibility challenges that would accompany the additional 210 school places proposed. These issues were echoed by the council’s highways team during internal reviews.
Jacqui Old, Executive Director of Education and Children’s Services at Lancashire County Council, said:
“We have listened to residents’ views and had further talks with our highways team and decided that we will no longer move forward with the expansion of Goosnargh Oliverson’s school building.
“This is largely due to concerns around the access, traffic and parking that a further 210 children would add to the village.”
Focus Moves to Whittingham Hospital Site
Despite shelving the plans at Goosnargh Oliverson’s, Lancashire County Council has confirmed its commitment to expanding primary school provision in the area. The attention now shifts to a major new proposal at the former Whittingham Hospital site.
Subject to planning approval, a new school will be built on the site with an initial intake of 60 pupils by September 2026. This would be delivered through temporary accommodation, with plans to expand the facility to accommodate at least 315 primary school places once construction is complete.
The project has been designed to grow with the community, offering a scalable solution that can be phased to match increasing demand. The council has emphasised that the infrastructure at the Whittingham site will allow for further expansion if needed.
“We are planning to proceed with a temporary and then permanent site at the Whittingham Hospital site for at least 315 places,” added Ms Old. “There is still a need for more provision in the area and we will continue to work with the community and district councils to find another solution to expand educational provision.”
Next Steps and Planning Process
If planning permission is granted, construction will begin with a view to welcoming the first pupils in temporary facilities by September 2026. The permanent school building would follow, designed to serve both existing families and new residents as further housing developments progress in the Preston area.
This development is part of Lancashire County Council’s broader strategy to future-proof educational infrastructure across the region.