Sunderland councillors to decide on plans to demolish and replace secondary school

Plans to knock down and rebuild a Sunderland secondary school are set to be discussed by city councillors next week.

Sunderland City Council’s Planning and Highways Committee will consider major plans for the future of St Aidan’s Catholic Academy in Ashbrooke. Developers Bowmer + Kirkland were recently appointed by the Department for Education to redevelop the school site under a national programme aimed at upgrading ageing schools.

The plans for St Aidan’s, submitted earlier this year, involve building new facilities, gradually demolishing existing buildings, and "rejuvenating the landscape", according to planning documents submitted. The project does not involve any changes to either the school’s roll, or its formal pupil admission number (PAN).

A new campus with two main buildings is planned, including a new three-storey main teaching block comprising classrooms, an assembly hall and a dining area, and a new three-storey combined sports and sixth form building.

A design and access statement submitted to council officials earlier this year said the project offers a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-imagine the campus and built environment at St Aidan’s Catholic Academy, and to capitalise on its attractive setting within the Ashbrooke Conservation Area".

The site masterplan divides the school site into zones including main buildings, an external dining area, staff and visitor parking, games courts and other outdoor areas.

Plans for a £20 million investment in St Aidan’s Catholic Academy's infrastructure have attracted only one objection. The exclusive project includes proposals for a "welcoming faith garden, a horticultural hub for community engagement, and a social family dining area for fostering connections", along with "sensory gardens" and an "outdoor construction skills area and habitat trails".

Notably, access to the school site will maintain its entry points via Tunstall Road and Willow Bank Road. To accommodate the phased demolition and construction, temporary facilities for teaching and staff are set to be installed on-site.

The move aims to "ensure continuity of teaching and learning on the site". Additionally, plans include improved pathways and the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, reflecting a commitment to creating an agreeable, secure, and sustainable environment for everyone at St Aidan’s Catholic Academy.

During the council’s consultation period, just a single objection emerged, labeling the development as "unnecessary" and voicing worries about possible effects on nearby residential amenity, the Ashbrooke Conservation Area, and local ecology. However, Sunderland City Council’s planning department has signaled a green light in a report issued before their upcoming decision-making meeting, endorsing the planning application.

Council experts highlighted that the provision of "modern school buildings would contribute towards the relevant parts of the City Plan", focusing on education, career skills, and job opportunities. Although there are considerations regarding potential disruptions, the plan still stands poised for approval.

Despite the potential for "up to 30 protected trees" being cut down, council planners have argued that the proposed development would offer "provide a greater amount of benefit". This includes "a better teaching environment, modern school buildings and potential community use of the proposed all weather pitch and multi-use games area", as well as enhancing the local conservation area and boosting biodiversity.

The Department for Education is listed as the applicant for the school redevelopment scheme. A planning statement submitted earlier this year stated that the plans were necessary due to the condition of the existing school buildings, which are "beyond any economically viable refurbishment".

This meeting is set to take place from 5.30pm on Monday, November 25, at City Hall, and will be open to the public.