Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
School pool to be transformed into new teaching block
Plans have been unveiled to transform a derelict school swimming pool into a teaching block.
Bosses at Parkside Community Primary in Sturry want to refurbish and convert the building into two classrooms to be used by the Canterbury-based St Nicholas special school.
A planning application has been sent to Kent County Council, which details how the building in Tennyson Avenue will also include a meeting room and toilets.
Although it is not known when the swimming pool was built, plans state it has not been used for several years.
“The condition of the building is poor and the appearance is unattractive,” the application states.
“The building is clad with asbestos cement sheets and it would be beneficial to remove
them from site.
“The steel portal frame, however, is structurally sound and can be retained to form the basis of the new classroom block.”
The new buildings would be used by staff and pupils from the St Nicholas School, which caters for children with severe and complex learning needs.
The above-ground concrete swimming pool will be demolished if the plans are green-lit.
A grass area at the rear of the building will be used as a play area and enclosed by a chainlink fence.
St Nicholas head teacher Daniel Lewis said: “As the demand for places in school increases, we have needed to create satellite provisions and work with mainstream schools in the Canterbury area.
“We already collaborate very closely with Parkside Community Primary School as they have hosted our pre-school observation and assessment unit, Caterpillars, on their site for the last two years.
“This partnership enables us to continue to provide high-quality education to the pupils in an inclusive environment as they enter statutory school age.”
Parkside head teacher Anthea Mclevy added: “We have enjoyed developing this relationship, which has been a very positive experience for both schools, and we are excited for the next phase of work.”
The plans can be reviewed on KCC’S planning portal by searching reference KCC/CA/0051/2022.