Maccreanor Lavington has won approval for the redevelopment of a primary school in Stratford, east London, alongside a residential building providing 120 new homes.
Given the go-ahead in a unanimous vote by Newham Council’s Strategic Development Committee earlier this month (14 July), the scheme inolves the demolition and replacement of the 1970s Carpenters Primary School. The project, backed by developer Populo Living, also includes a new, 11-storey block of flats on the site of the school’s car park.
The development plots neighbours the £1 billion Carpenters Estate development, an ongoing project also led by Populo Living and involving Hawkins\Brown, Proctor & Matthews and Metropolitan Workshop, among others.
The new school design accommodates increased demand from these future high-rise blocks. Both the school and residential block fit within the wider Carpenters Estate Regeneration Programme.
The landscape element has been designed by Root and Erect Architects, which has drawn up plans for a multi-use games area and separate Futsal pitch. Sports facilities will be used by the school during the day but will be available for community use at other times.
Maccreanor Lavington plans will improve the school’s civic presence
Beth Mogey, project architect on the school element, said: ‘Close collaboration with Carpenters Primary School has been central to shaping a design that reflects the school’s vision for the future. Supporting the school’s commitment to inclusivity, the proposals include dedicated Special Educational Needs provision, creating an enhanced learning environment for current and future pupils.’
Mogey added: ‘The scheme will strengthen the school’s civic presence within the neighbourhood through a distinctive new hall, enhanced community sports facilities and a relocated main entrance on Carpenters Road. Together, these improvements will create a welcoming focal point for pupils, families and the wider community.’
The plans come forward after ‘11 years of dedicated planning’, according to the headteacher of Carpenters Primary School, who added: ‘This approval allows us to replace our current outdated facilities with a visionary school of the future where every child can thrive.’
With the addition of the new flats – which will cross-subsidise the school’s construction – the council has said that the scheme will be ‘cost-effective’ for both the Borough of Newham and the Department for Education.
The mayor of Newham said: ‘The development makes the most of currently underused land, replacing the old school with a modern building that can adapt to the challenges of the future.
‘I believe the scheme offers an innovative solution to providing more housing and infrastructure for our residents.’
Source: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/maccreanor-lavington-gets-the-go-ahead-for-stratford-primary-school