THE future of Wimboldsley Primary School is uncertain, the school has said, due to the devastating impact that the planned HS2 route will have on the village.

The route, which was proposed in 2016, will see the high-speed rail line go from Crewe to Manchester, dissecting Winsford and Middlewich and going straight through Wimboldsley, as well as a 4km-long rolling depot being built in the village.

Now, the school, which was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted after an inspection in 2017’ has highlighted the uncertainty of its future in a planning application, submitted to build a mobile classroom to cope with an increasing number of pupils.

A representative from the school said in the application to Cheshire West and Chester Council: “Wimboldsley Primary School is looking to install a mobile classroom on the school playground to provide an additional classroom space.

“Pupil numbers at Wimboldsley Primary are increasing year on year and for the previous two years the staffroom has had to be used a shared classroom, meeting room and teaching space which isn’t practical in the long term and is potentially detrimental to learning outcomes.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council has now granted permission to build the classroom next to the main building.

The school representative added: “We are looking to install a temporary mobile classroom, as opposed to a permanent structure, due to uncertainties with HS2.

“The school is situated very close to the route of HS2 and despite falling just outside the compulsory purchase zone, the long-term future of the school in its current location is unknown.

“We are meeting regularly with senior representatives from HS2 and the Education Department but feel a mobile classroom that can be moved to a new location if necessary, is the best option for our school at this time.”

The planning permission includes a condition which states that the classroom should be removed, and the land restored before May 14, 2022.

Council case officer Angela Wrigley said in her report: “Although a built extension to the school would be better suited to the appearance of the locality, the school currently faces uncertainty in relation to the development of the HS2 nearby.

“It is expected that the school will be provided with updates over the next two years and that the provision of a temporary classroom for a maximum of three years would be appropriate, subject to conditions requiring the removal of the classroom and restoration of the location.”

The uncertainty facing the school remains a big concern for Antoinette Sandbach, the Conservative MP for Eddisbury who slammed HS2 for failing to provide visual plans for the rolling stock depot and the viaducts proposed in her constituency in November 2018.

She claimed that this meant her constituents were unable to properly take part in HS2’s consultation stage which ran until December 21 2018.

Antoinette said: “I remain deeply concerned at the likely impact HS2 will have on the Wimboldsley Primary School.

“I continue to regularly raise the matter with both HS2 and the Transport Minister, Nus Ghani, having received oral assurances from the Secretary of State, Chris Grayling, that relocation of the school will be considered as part of the mitigation measures.”