A complete rebuild of a Suffolk secondary school is in the pipeline, following the discovery of unsafe concrete in several existing buildings.
The Department for Education (DfE) has chosen Bowmer + Kirland as the main contractor to lead the redevelopment of Hadleigh High School.
The developer is now preparing plans to demolish all existing school facilities on-site at Highlands Road, and replacing them with two new buildings – the main school, and a sports centre.
To gather the community’s views on the proposals, the project team will host a public exhibition at the school on Monday, January 12, from 4pm until 7pm.
Attendees can submit their comments directly, while those unable to attend will be able to view the exhibition display online and fill out a digital feedback form after the event.
Bowmer + Kirland explained that feedback submitted before the deadline of January 23 will help inform their final planning application.
“The DfE has tasked Bowmer + Kirkland with developing a scheme that will better accommodate students, staff and the community, enable the school to remain operational on-site during construction, target net zero carbon, and provide improved facilities,” a statement reads.
“The project team has been working closely with the school in preparation of the proposals.”
The proposals come after several of Hadleigh High School’s current buildings were found to have been constructed with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
The material was used in buildings between the 1950s and the 1990s, but was later deemed to susceptible to collapse, due to its lightweight structure making it less durable.
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge welcomed the announcement of the proposals for Hadleigh.
“I am delighted to hear that Hadleigh may be getting a brand-new secondary school building and sports centre,” he said.
“Under current proposals, which I understand will be consulted upon, the current school buildings will be demolished and replaced with brand new and improved buildings on the same site.
“Having secured funding for a new school building for Ormiston Academy Sudbury, this investment could further boost future prospects of our young people in a really tangible way.”
For the latest updates on the project, visit hadleighhighplans.co.uk.
Published by Suffolk News.
