What is the status of Cottam Primary School's expansion plans?

The expansion plans for Cottam Primary School in Preston have been stalled, as the proposal has been referred to the government for a final decision after Sport England objected to the project.

Why has Sport England objected to the Cottam Primary School expansion?

Sport England has objected to the proposed expansion because the new single-story block with four classrooms and the multi-use games area would be built on an existing sports pitch, which the organization does not consider a suitable replacement.

What are the key details of the Cottam Primary School expansion plan?

The expansion plan includes increasing the school's capacity to 420 pupils, constructing a new classroom block, and developing a multi-use games area, as well as adding a new car park to replace the spaces lost due to the construction.

Home / Education / Cottam Primary School Expansion Plans Stalled by Government Referral

Cottam Primary School Expansion Plans Stalled by Government Referral

8 Sep

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Summary

Lancashire County Council plans to double Cottam Primary School's capacity
Expansion proposal includes new classrooms and sports facilities
Sport England objects, triggering government review of the project

Cottam Primary School Expansion Plans Stalled by Government Referral

In September 2025, Lancashire County Council's plans to double the number of pupils at Cottam Primary School in Preston have encountered a significant hurdle. The council had proposed a phased expansion of the school's capacity to 420 students, with the first step already underway by admitting 60 reception-year pupils instead of the previous 30.

However, the expansion project, which includes the construction of a new single-story block with four classrooms and the development of a multi-use games area, has faced objections from Sport England. The sports organization has raised concerns about the proposed building encroaching on an existing sports pitch, triggering a referral to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for a final decision.

According to the council's principal planning officer, Jonathan Haine, Sport England's main issue is that the replacement games area is not considered a suitable substitute for the lost pitch. Councillor Tom Lord, the deputy chair of the council's development committee, argued that the new all-weather facility "seems to be providing an awful lot of alternative benefit for a community that requires a school."

Despite the ongoing challenges, the council remains committed to the expansion, which would also involve the addition of a new car park to replace the spaces lost due to the construction. The project, initially proposed more than two years ago, now awaits a decision from the government before it can progress further.

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