Educational Premises

11.10 Suffolk County Council is the main provider of school places in St Edmundsbury. There are also a number of private schools in the borough. West Suffolk College, which is based in Bury St Edmunds with an outlet in Haverhill, is the main provider of higher education outside the school system. The college serves a wide catchment area and is expanding to meet the community's changing needs.

11.11 Early years education includes playgroups, day nurseries (private or attached to a primary school), afterschool and school-holiday childcare services and early years/reception classes at primary schools. The Borough Council supports the provision of early years education and recognises that the location needs of the different providers will vary. Premises proposed within existing educational establishments will be judged against Policy DS4. Other locations will be assessed against the following Policy.

11.12 Over time the number of children attending a school will vary and this may lead to the expansion of the facility or, at the other extreme, the closure of the building. Redundant school buildings within Housing Settlement Boundaries will generally be suitable for a range of uses. Outside defined settlement boundaries the situation is different and proposals will need to be considered on their individual merits and in the context of other policies in this Plan. The Borough Council will encourage the dual use of school facilities.

11.13 New schools and extensions to existing schools will be needed over the Plan period to meet the demand arising from new residential development. Facilities at existing schools will also be reviewed and improved in accordance with the county council asset management policy, central government advice and availability of funding.

11.14 New premises proposed within and extensions to existing educational establishments will be judged against Policy DS3. Other locations will be assessed against Policy FC1.

11.15 The Borough Council is keen to encourage the development of educational facilities for the post 16 years age group in Haverhill. This development is likely to be promoted by the West Suffolk College.