Brindley Heath | DPP Consulting

Brindley Heath Junior School, Kinver

Introduction

DPP Planning are preparing to submit a planning application, on behalf of Bowmer and Kirkland and the Department for Education (DfE), which seeks full planning permission for the demolition of the existing school building and construction of a replacement teaching block together with associated playing fields, car parking and landscaping at Brindley Heath Junior School, Enville Road, Kinver, Stourbridge, DY7 6AA.

Undertaking public consultation with local residents in advance of submitting a planning application is an important part of the process for the applicants and allows members of the public and the local community to engage with the vision for the site and to provide valuable feedback on the proposals.

The site

The site extends approximately 1.07 hectares in area and lies to the northeast of the village of Kinver. The site is occupied by Brindley Heath Junior School, a school for pupils aged 7 to 11, with a total capacity of 240 pupils and is run by the Manor Multi Academy Trust.

PROPOSAL

Brindley Heath Junior School was awarded central Government funding as part of the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) for it’s redevelopment as the existing buildings are life-expired and no longer fit for modern day teaching purposes.

In summary, the proposed development seeks the demolition of the existing building and construction of a replacement teaching block together with associated soft and hard informal spaces, PE areas, car parking, and landscaping.

The proposal is very similar to the scheme that was approved on the site in 2019 but unfortunately that permission has since lapsed. The relatively minor amendments in the current proposal are due to the need to the meet the DfE’s current design specification.

The proposed building will be in the form of an ‘T’ shape located towards the southern portion of the site. The proposed building will be predominantly 1-storey, with the main hall being 2-storeys in height due to this space requiring a double height design in the DfE specification. The new proposed building will include classrooms, group rooms, staff facilities, office space, and main hall.

Externally, the school building will be surrounded by hard informal areas for play. A hard PE area is proposed to the east of the new school block, with a soft PE area proposed to the north of the site once the existing building has been demolished. Hard informal and soft informal play spaces and a forest school area are proposed on the site of the existing hardstanding.

Existing pedestrian and vehicular access arrangements will remain as existing. There are also no uplift in pupil or staff numbers proposed as part of the proposals.

It is proposed that the school will be net-zero carbon in operation and will include sustainability features such as PV panels and ground source heat pumps.

Existing trees on the site’s boundaries will be retained and enhanced where possible. A hard and soft landscaping scheme will enhance the site to create an attractive environment for pupils, staff and visitors.

In terms of phasing, it is proposed that the existing school will remain operational until the new teaching block is complete, which minimises disruption and removes the need for any temporary accommodation on site. Once the school has decanted into the new build, the existing school building will be demolished and the remainder of the site will be landscaped to create new playing fields and outdoor teaching space.

Providing your Feedback

We would like to hear your views on the proposed development before a planning application is submitted. We are holding a public consultation event at Brindley Heath Junior School on Thursday 16th January 2024 where plans of the proposed development will be on show and members of the design team will be available to answer any questions. Parents and carers are invited to view the proposals from 3:40pm, with neighbours and other members of the community invited from 4:30pm until 7pm.

There will be an opportunity to provide your feedback at the event, or alternatively, please leave your comments via the email address listed further below, or post your comments to DPP, One Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5HN. Please send your comments to us by the 24th January 2025.

Once the application has been submitted to South Staffordshire District Council, there will a further opportunity to comment on the proposals

LEAVE YOUR ONLINE FEEDBACK

To leave your comments on the proposed development, if you are unable to attend the in-person event, please email consultation@dppukltd.com

Please be aware that comments left on any public consultation exercise, either by email or any other means, are subject to the terms of our Privacy Policy. Please read this policy carefully as by submitting the information you are consenting to our use of your personal data in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

Your personal data will be retained on our secure database and will not be passed to our clients.

We may also like to contact you to keep you informed about future developments relating to this consultation. You will be able to opt-out of these communications at any time.