A £6 million project to create nearly 200 extra places at a Kenilworth Primary School has been pushed back a year, local councillors have announced.

The budget for the works at St John's Primary School and Nursery were signed off by Warwickshire County Council (WCC) last year, with work on site hoped to be completed for this September's intake.

But with a planning application for the project still yet to be determined, local Liberal Democrats have confirmed the project is now not expected to be completed until September 2025.

"Both the town council and several residents commented on the plans, especially expressing concerns about road safety on Mortimer Road and Roseland Road," the Lib Dem group said in an update to residents.

"The county council's project team is currently working through the concerns from the statutory consultees.

"In response to our request for an update, the county council says it is currently aiming for planning to be determined in the autumn term (November 2024) with building work completion for September 2025.

"The council also says that, in the interim, where it has pressure in certain year groups in Kenilworth it will look to use extra classroom space within the school to accommodate additional pupils."

If approved, the development would come in three parts (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.

"The design and massing of the new additions were thoughtfully considered in relation to the existing buildings, the site, and its surroundings," the application said. 

"Each new extension took inspiration from the surrounding buildings, each extension having its own distinct language to marry with the surrounding building."

Locals have already been consulted on the St John's Primary School expansion (image via planning application)

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.

The £6.335 million allocated to the project will come from contributions from local housing developers and a Department for Education Basic Need grant.

The application also includes a 160-page transport assessment, which reveals 15 more parking spaces and racks for 30 more bikes will be installed at St John's.

It also notes there are reports of illegal parking around pick up and drop off times.

The plans say it is "imperative" people travelling to the school "consider their mode of travel and avoid single person/pupil car trips".

See the full application here.