New £6.5 million school building in Cheltenham gets green light for green building
Warden Hill Primary in Cheltenham is to get a new £6.5 million carbon neutral school building after the plans were given the go ahead.
Plans for the new school, which will replace the existing building in Cheltenham, have been given planning approval and building work will start in late October.
The two-form entry school will remain at its current size, offering 420 places, providing pupils with better facilities for teaching and learning.
Warden Hill Primary is rated as an ‘outstanding’ school by Ofsted, however, the existing buildings are in need of extensive refurbishment. Detailed investigations into the existing site and buildings showed it would be a more efficient use of resources to replace the existing infant and junior buildings with a brand new energy efficient one.
Cllr Philip Robinson, cabinet member for economy, education and skills for Gloucestershire County Council, said: “A new school building at Warden Hill Primary will provide the excellent learning environment that pupils in our county deserve.
“The £6.5 million investment into the new school building is part of the council’s £100 million project to give every child a high-quality of education in order to reach their full potential.”
The work will provide the school with a sustainable building, in line with the council’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
Cllr Emma Nelson, local member for Warden Hill at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I'm delighted that the plans to rebuild this outstanding school have now been approved. These new and improved facilities are excellent news for the local community.
“I'm glad that initial plans were amended regarding vehicle access, and that both the constructors and designers have been willing to address local issues.
“I look forward to seeing the excitement of the pupils, parents, carers, and staff when the new school building is complete.”
Should the school need to be expanded in the future, the design will allow for this to happen in a more efficient way.
The scheme will also improve the vehicle and pedestrian access to the site, providing additional parking and bike and scooter shelters for pupils and staff
The new school building is due to be completed in the autumn of 2022.
