A secondary school in Sudbury will be demolished and rebuilt after plans were given the go-ahead.
Building work at Ormiston Sudbury Academy, in Tudor Road, could start this summer according to planning documents with the district council.
Babergh District Council gave the school the green light for its proposed redevelopment on Wednesday after proposals were first put forward at the end of last year.
As part of the plans, the current main school building - which dates back to the late 1960s or early 1970s - will be demolished.
A new three-storey block is to be built in its place.
Plans also include building a new sports hall block and a multi-use games area.
"The design seeks to create a landmark building for the Trust whilst remaining sensitive to the local context and including some facilities that can be used by the local community," a planning statement said.
The redevelopment of the school was included in the Government's school rebuilding programme after it was chosen for funding in July 2022 by the previous Conservative administration.
Speaking in September 2024, South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge said: "I campaigned hard for Ormiston’s new school building as a top priority and helped to secure the backing of the previous government.
"I believe that if Sudbury had two secondary schools with modern buildings it would boost the town and its prospects in a really powerful way."
Fears had been voiced by members of the community that the new sports block may not be open to the public.
However, a spokesperson for Ormiston Academies Trust revealed the intention is for the centre to be open outside of school hours, as well as being open to pre-organised sports clubs.
A final completion date is earmarked for autumn 2028.
Published by the East Anglian Daily Times.
