The councillor in charge of education in Warwickshire said she was unable to confirm whether the costs would rise on a "much-delayed" project to double the capacity at a Kenilworth primary school.

Warwickshire County Council has already signed off on a £6 million budget to create 200 extra places at St John's Primary School and Nursery, but the project has already been pushed back a year.

However, with planning permission yet to be granted, the September 2025 completion date is now looking even less likely.

At the most recent full council meeting, Cllr Jerry Roodhouse asked for an update on the project and confirmation from the council that the costs would not rise.

He asked the council to "provide reassurance there will be no increase in cost, no reduction in space at the facilities and that the lessons have been learned from the highways problems when the new Kenilworth School opened to ensure no such parking and highways problems occur outside St John's Primary School."

A drawing of the planned expansion at St John's Primary School (image via planning application)

But in response portfolio holder for education, Cllr Kam Kaur, said she could not give any reassurances until a survey on the local roads has been completed.

The planning application for the project is yet to be determined.

"A data collection exercise has been undertaken through the form of a road safety audit, this is due back on the 10 of January and our teams will assess the outcome of this work," she said. 

"Ultimately this will identify if a traffic regulation order is required and from that point we can reassess the timeline for the scheme. 

"In terms of the planning application this cannot proceed until the scope of highways works are fully understood. 

"It will also inform if any further costs are likely to complete the project. 

"There will be no deviation from the specification of the facilities required."

The extensions are yet to be given planning permission (image via planning application)

Eventually the scheme - which has already had a public consultation - will see the 200 extra places filled over the next seven years.

If approved, the planning application will see three major extensions built at the Mortimer Road school to make it two-form entry.

The development also plans to make space for up to 14 places for children with education, health and care plans (EHCPs) who can be catered for in a mainstream school.If approved, the first part of the development would see the new social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH) unit and new Year 6 classroom built.

The second part would see new Year 4 and 3 classrooms constructed, as well as a library and 'intervention space'.

And the final part of the development would include a new Year 2 classroom, and extra toilets.

See the full application here.