School gets go-ahead for 'portable cabin' classroom on playground

It will be in place while construction work on a new extension takes place

A temporary classroom will be set up at a primary school while construction work on a permanent extension is carried out. Planners at Halton Borough Council have backed an application to set up a modular ‘portable cabin’ type classroom on the playground at St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School in Runcorn.

The school on Conwy Court, which is part of the Holy Family Multi-Academy Trust, already has approval for a permanent classroom extension, with some pupils to be taught in the temp building until construction work on that project is complete. The planning application said: “The modular building will be in place for a period of one year to provide an additional classroom whilst a new permanent classroom extension is being constructed.”

It added: “Planning permission for the classroom extension has already been granted however the new classroom extension will not be ready for occupation until September, 2026.” According to the plans, the modular building will provide a temporary classroom for the Year 6 class and will have lighting, heating, power, data and fire alarm. It will comprise of a 61 sq m classroom, an entrance lobby and a store room. When construction of the permanent classroom is complete, the modular building will be removed.

The application added: “The modular building is a prefabricated, fully fit-out building which will be craned into position and requires no excavations or intrusive works to the existing site.” It concluded: “On removal of the modular building from site, the existing school playground and building will be unaffected.”

Granting approval, council planners said: “This permission shall be for a limited period only, expiring on September 30, 2026, by which date the building shall be removed from the site and the land reinstated to its original state.”

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