Have your say on the new Cheltenham secondary school

Local residents and parents have already provided valuable feedback on the proposals at the community engagement events held in June. Members of the public will also be able to comment on the planning application.

The new secondary school is part of the county council’s investment of £100 million into Gloucestershire schools. It will be run by the Balcarras Academy Trust and will teach pupils aged 11 to 16. The school will eventually hold 900 pupils, however, entry will be phased so 120 pupils will join in Year 7 in the first year, with a new Year 7 group joining at the beginning of each academic year.

Cllr Patrick Molyneux, Cabinet Member for Economy, Education and Skills, commented: “As a council, we are delivering over £100m of investment in Gloucestershire’s schools –the brand new secondary for Cheltenham is a key part of that.  These designs show just what a fantastic and exciting opportunity the new school will offer to Cheltenham and the surrounding area, whilst addressing crucial shortages in pupil places.”

The artist’s impressions from architects AHR show detailed plans of classrooms and outdoor areas, including large grass playing fields, an astro-turf pitch, tennis courts, an outdoor area for table tennis, and a café with outdoor seating. Many of the existing trees and shrubs will be kept along the boundary, and a habitat area with a wildflower meadow and outdoor learning area within the school boundary will be created.

The school will be built using textured brick with soft edges and colour variation to suit the local area, as well as timber panelling and metal cladding. It has been designed with sustainability in mind and the materials have been chosen to compliment the natural surroundings of the site and reduce energy demand.

As the school will serve a very local population, over 1.5km of footpaths and off-road cycle paths will be introduced or upgraded on key routes nearby to allow for direct walking and cycling links to the surrounding area. The school will have a number of entrances for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as plenty of covered secure bike parking, to make it as accessible as possible to walk or cycle and reduce the impact of cars on the local area.

A review of the impact of the school on local roads has been undertaken by Cotswold Transport Planning through a traffic simulation model to make sure that the development can be safely accommodated.

The proposals are subject to planning permission.

A link to view and comment on the application is available online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/school-places-in-cheltenham, along with further information about the new school.