Mount St Mary’s: New school building to be debated by planners

An East Leeds high school hopes to press ahead with plans for a new building – despite concern over the loss of a sports pitch.

A three-storey block of classrooms and dining facilities could be built and an existing block demolished at Mount St Mary’s High School in Richmond Hill.

A refurbishment would also be carried out on a grade II-listed Catholic school building as part of the ambitious scheme, which is led by the Department for Education.

A planning application will be discussed by Leeds City Council’s North and East plans panel at Leeds Civic Hall next Thursday (February 27).

Planning chiefs have received a formal objection from Sport England, and organisation which champions sport and physical activity in England, over the impact on playing pitches. The organisation said: “The applicant has not made any attempt to redesign the scheme to provide a replacement playing field.”

Council planning officers recommend that the benefits of the scheme outweigh the objection.

Because Sport England is a statutory consultee, it could eventually be referred to the secretary of state for determination.