The current building, on Shirley Avenue, is “not fit for purpose”, according to application documents. It is said to be “financially exhaustive” for the school when it comes to operational and maintenance costs.
As a result, the school features in the Department for Education’s (DfE) School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) and is in line for redevelopment. The government initiative rebuilds schools that are assessed to require replacement based on a building condition assessment.
accommodates 184 pupils aged between three and 11 years old, including 12 nursery spaces. Under the plans, the existing school buildings will be demolished and consolidated into a single storey building.
Planned improvements at Gomersal St Mary’s Primary School
The new facility will be constructed first and come complete with new hard and soft playing fields, forestry school and hard PE area. There will also be external spaces and grounds to support the range of pupils’ educational and extra-curricular needs.
The site will include parking provision for 16 vehicles plus two additional accessible bays. Four spaces will have electric vehicle chargers.
The development will be delivered using a phased approach to minimise disruption.
A planning statement on behalf of the applicant says: “The development proposals subject to this planning application have been identified as being necessary as part of the DfE’s SRP, largely due to the existing buildings being in poor condition and approaching the end of their useable lifespan.
“There has been a long-standing requirement to improve the school facilities.
“The proposal, which represents a major investment by the DfE, therefore seeks to redevelop the existing site to provide students with and staff with access to modern, state-of-the-art facilities that enhance the quality of learning and teaching, providing a safe and sustainable environment which supports academic, social and emotional development.
“The proposal will also result in a much more integrated and fully accessible school campus, to the benefit of its students and the local community.”
source: https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/news/politics/council/gomersal-st-marys-primary-school-submits-plans-for-new-building-after-current-facility-deemed-not-fit-for-purpose-6909309
Image: Image: Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd
