Set for go-ahead Block to take first intake for new school ready for approval
PLANS to build a temporary teaching block in Cheltenham for the first intake of pupils for a £30 million new secondary school are set for approval.
The building would be at Balcarras School, in Charlton Kings, and would be used to teach the first 120 year 7 High School Leckhampton pupils.
Balcarras, which is also the sponsor of the new secondary school, proposed for land off Kidnappers Lane, will have its bid heard by planners next week.
School bosses need accommodation for the school year beginning in September 2021 because the planned new High School Leckhampton is not due to be ready to take pupils until September 2022.
Work to build High School Leckhampton started earlier this year, and the deadline for parents to bid for places ended in October.
A planning application lodged with Cheltenham Borough Council by the Balcarras Academy Trust seeks permission for a new detached modular building to be built at Balcarras School in East End Road.
While it would only temporarily house High School Leckhampton pupils, the four-classroom building would be permanent.
From September 2022, it would be re-purposed as a teaching space for Balcarras’ business studies department.
Recommending why the application should be approved, council officers said in a report: “The proposed development will provide much-needed temporary accommodation for up to 120 year 7 pupils whilst the new High School in Leckhampton is completed.
“The subsequent retention and repurposing of the building for use as teaching space for the Balcarras business studies department will enhance the facilities currently offered by the school and provide the business school with its own identity.
“It is not intended to increase the capacity of Balcarras School, which is currently capped at 1,341 pupils.
“The proposed building is highly sustainable in its design, will be visually attractive and will sit comfortably within its context.
“The school has carried out an assessment of their needs in relation to external recreation space for informal gathering and play, and are satisfied that more than adequate space will remain available following the construction of the building.
“The application has been thoroughly assessed by the county council as the local highway authority (LHA) who raise no highway objection, concluding that there would not be an unacceptable impact on highway safety or a severe impact on congestion.
“There are no justifiable grounds on which an objection could be maintained”.
Cheltenham Borough Council’s planning committee will determine the plan for the new school building on December 17, from 2pm.
The proposed building is highly sustainable in its design, will be visually attractive and will sit comfortably within its context
Council report