Plans for £12m new school building set for approval

Plans to create a new £12.7m replacement building for a school in Nottinghamshire are set to be approved.

Concerns over the foundations of the current building and a leaky roof at Albany Junior School, Stapleford, were among the issues that prompted the development of plans for a new centre.

If approved by Nottinghamshire County Council's planning and rights of way committee on 9 June, work could start in August and be completed by next summer.

Headteacher Laura Goffin said "lots of time, work and effort have gone into getting us to this stage".

"Parents have told me they're really excited for the children and staff to have a new modernised building," she added.

The new two-storey building in Pasture Road would be energy efficient and include a music and drama room, eight classrooms, a dedicated space for people with special educational needs, a library, staff room and outdoor play area, according to the council.

During construction, the original school building would operate as normal, but the authority said "robust measures" were in place to ensure it was safe.

Major repairs and temporary accommodation were considered, but delivering a new, fit-for-purpose school represented the "best long term solution", a council spokesperson added.

James Walker-Gurley, the county council's cabinet member for economic development and asset management, said: "Investing in our schools is one of the most important things we do, and this new building will give pupils and staff a safe, modern and inspiring place to learn and teach for many years to come."

The project is set to be financed through the council's school place programme.

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