Proposed redevelopment of Sandbach School, Sandbach

Proposed Redevelopment of Sandbach School, Crewe Road, Sandbach

Introduction

DPP Planning are preparing to submit a planning application and listed building consent, on behalf of Bowmer and Kirkland and the Department for Education (DfE), for the proposed redevelopment of Sandbach School, Crewe Road, Sandbach, CW11 3NS. Undertaking public consultation with local residents in advance of submitting the 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. As described below, the proposals will retain and work sensitively with the listed buildings on site.

The site

The site extends approximately 13.5 hectares in area and is located to the west of Sandbach centre with direct adjacency to residential areas to the south, west and north of the site.
The site is occupied by Sandbach School and sixth from with a current Pupil Admission Number of 1,500 plus 300 sixth form students.

The Proposal

Sandbach School was awarded central Government funding as part of the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) for its redevelopment, as most of the existing buildings are life-expired and no longer fit for modern day teaching purposes.

A copy of the Proposed Site Plan and indicative visuals are provided below. In summary, the proposed development seeks the demolition of 12 blocks, construction of a new Sports Hall and Teaching Block, internal and external alterations to the Grade II Listed Gilbert Scott School Building, together with associated works including landscaping, car parking and siting of temporary accommodation for the duration of the construction.

The proposed building will be in the form of an ‘L’ shape located directly to the west of the Grade II Listed Gilbert Scott School Building and will largely sit on the footprint of the existing teaching blocks. The proposed teaching block will be 3 storeys, adjacent to a 2 storey block comprising of a new swimming pool, a 4-court sports hall, dining, main hall, and kitchen. The swimming pool and sports hall will be available for use by the community. It is proposed that the new school building will be net-zero carbon in operation and will include sustainability features such as PV panels and ground source heat pumps.

Externally, new landscaped areas are planned throughout the site, including the reinstatement of the historic courtyard, to create an aesthetic environment for pupils and staff, as well as helping to achieve biodiversity net gain. Existing trees on the site’s boundaries will be retained and enhanced where possible.

Internal and external alterations to the Grade II listed Gilbert Scott School Building are also proposed which include demolition of the 1950s dining room and assembly hall wings, which are of no heritage significance and are at the rear of the building. It is further proposed that a flat roof extension, which detracts from the front of the listed building is also demolished. In addition, the proposal includes making good works, external repairs to historic fabric, thermal performance upgrades and refurbishment and re-purposing of the internal spaces.

In terms of phasing, the school is to utilise temporary teaching accommodation on the existing tennis courts to the south of the site during the construction period. Once the school has been decanted into the new build, the tennis courts will be re-instated.

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 in the school hall at Sandbach School on
Monday 10th November from 3:30pm until 7:30pm where plans of the proposed development will be on show and members of the design team will be available to answer any questions.

There will be an opportunity to provide your feedback at the event, or alternatively if you cannot make the event, please leave your comments on the feedback form on the website or post your comments to: DPP, One Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5HN.

Feedback Form

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