Plans for 528-pupil primary school in Walsall approved - here's when work will start

A decaying school will be demolished and replaced with a new purpose-built school designed to accommodate 528 children, with work starting in the summer.

Plans to demolish the existing Bloxwich Academy Primary School - formerly Hatherton Primary School - and replace it with a new 14-classroom building have been approved by Walsall Council.

And David Lowbridge-Ellis, director of educational standards at Matrix Academy Trust, said the school in Bloxwich Lane, Bloxwich, had originally been earmarked for a rebuild in 2010, before funding for the scheme was cancelled.

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But he said funding had now been secured for both a new primary school and to replace the neighbouring secondary school, which was formerly Frank F Harrison School.

Walsall Council planners have granted permission for the new primary school, on condition that work begins within three years.

Gary Smart, head of capital and compliance at the trust, said it was an exciting development for the school.

He said the trust had spent about £3 million on the school since in took over the running of the school 11 years ago, trying to make it as welcoming as possible.

Mr Smart said initial work, dealing with mine workings, would take place over the summer.

“I think the children have waited a long time for this,” he said. “The new school is going to be amazing.”

A planning statement issued on behalf of the trust, which runs the school, said the existing building, which dates back to 1956, was no longer suitable for pupils’ needs.

“The Bloxwich Academy Primary School buildings are in an extremely poor condition and are at the end of their life, which means that refurbishment is not an option,” the statement said.

The present school was designed for 447 pupils aged three-11, with a further 48 nursery places and four for youngsters with special educational needs. The replacement building will have a slightly larger capacity, allowing for ‘modest growth’ to 472 mainstream pupils, 52 nursery places, plus four pupils with special requirements.

The trust said the school was located in the green belt, but that much of the site had been previously developed.

“While part of the site is clearly previously developed land, we recognise that there are elements of green space on the site, that while they aren’t natural - sports pitches or soft landscaping - they aren’t ‘built’ development,” said the trust’s statement.

“Despite this, we consider that the site, when considered as a whole, constitutes grey belt.”

Planning officer Ann Scott said the plans had attracted three letters from residents expressing concerns about parking and traffic at school drop off and pick up times in Leamore Lane.

But she said plans would improve access from Bloxwich Lane, and including the provision of pedestrian crossings.

Zac Wade, principal planner at WSP consultants, acting on behalf of the school, said: “The proposals aim to deliver a new, high-quality and sustainable school along with associated facilities, replacing the existing building which has reached the end of its operational life. The development will bring substantial benefits to staff, students, and the wider community. “