The Nottingham school was supposed to offer 210 pupil places (Image: Tom Maddick/SWNS)
Locals have slammed a brand new Net-zero as a “waste of money” after it shut its doors before admitting any pupils due to lack of demand.
Waterside Primary School in was supposed to open in September 24, serving 210 pupils including 30 nursery places.
The trust behind the school had hoped that children living in the nearby 350-home Nottingham Waterside Trent Basin development would fill up the spaces, but only a few parents applied for their children to attend, forcing it to shut before the term could get underway.
Locals blame the underwhelming reception on the development homes, which sell for an average of £500,000, being filled by young professionals and older couples, both without young children.
They have also dubbed the establishment, which has been fully built, complete with a sports field and playground, a “ghost school”.
A resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I can only think of a handful of families with school age children living here so I am not surprised the before it even opened.
“It seems an awful waste of money and something which really should have been foreseen. It’s a shame because the school buildings look immaculate and very modern but sadly it’s been built in completely the wrong place.”
[REPORT]
The school was meant to open last year (Image: Tom Maddick/SWNS)
Another resident, who recently moved into a local flat with her boyfriend, said: “When I heard a school was being built near the estate I was surprised because the people I know here are mostly in their twenties like us, without kids.”
She added that she was planning to move “to the suburbs” when she does become a parent instead of staying in the area.
The project, which was designed to combat rising greenhouse gas emissions, was overseen by the Department for Education (DofE) would have been run by the Greenwood Academies Trust.
However, the DofE pulled funding from the school in December, a month after its scheduled opening date and the trust also backed out of the agreement.
A spokesperson for the trust has confirmed they are seeking an “alternative use for the site”.
Don’t miss… [REPORT] [REPORT] [REPORT]
The spokesperson added: “In recent conversations, it has become apparent that, with surplus primary places in the area, there is not sufficient demand for this school to fulfil the rigorous criteria for meeting place planning needs.”
While alternative futures for the fully-built site were not disclosed, they said it would “benefit the educational landscape of the area”, the local council confirming that it is “in discussions” to determine the best way forward.
A DofE spokesperson said: “Our priority is to establish schools where there is a need for places and [to] ensure government fudning it targeted to where it is needed most.”
“The demand for places at the proposed school has not materialised at the rate expected in Nottingham City Council’s basic need forecasts.”