COVENTRY – School Rebuild Edges Closer

The rebuild of an entire school in Coventry has been recommended for approval by planners ahead of a final decision by councillors this week.

West Coventry Academy has drawn up plans for a new three-storey school building, sports centre and outdoor sports pitches as part of a major £38 million rebuild.

A new main entrance to the site on Tile Hill Lane will also be built, alongside a 158-space car park and improvements to the coach drop off/pick up area.

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Proposals have been described as an “incredible opportunity” by headteacher Ana Neofitou, with the funding secured from the Department for Education.

Council planning officer Darren Henry has deemed it acceptable as the bid moves to the final hurdle at a planning committee meeting on Thursday, August 5.

Mr Henry said the existing buildings are “coming toward the end of their life”, with the original school built in 1957.

“There is a need to provide better quality teaching environments in line with modern standards,” he added in a report.

However the council’s Conservation Officer Charlotte Stranks has objected, stating “only the highest level of harm can be attributed to this application”.

She said the buildings “are considered to possess a degree of rarity” and recent assessments found it was in “very good condition”, meaning she is “not therefore convinced that demolition is justified”.

A further 16 letters of objection and a petition of 33 signatures have also been submitted against the plans.

However Mr Henry said there may be sufficient public benefit which would outweigh heritage concerns, and has recommended approval.

A seven-point Public Benefits Statement from the school has also said the new plans will deliver significant investment to improve educational facilities.

A final decision will be made by a planning committee on Thursday, August 5.

If approved, works could begin this autumn ready for completion in spring 2024.

Ana Neofitou, headteacher at West Coventry Academy, said: “The Department for Education funded plans are an incredible opportunity for our students, staff and the wider West Coventry area.

“It has been fantastic for all of us to work with the project team on the detailed design and then see it come to life in the animated film.”

The secondary school and sixth form supports around 1,485 pupils.

A film and further detail on the scheme can be found on westcoventryplans.co.uk.

Source: CoventryLive