Cheshire East will next week consider plans to redevelop and modernise the historic Sandbach School.

The proposed development comprises bulldozing 10 blocks and the partial demolition of the Grade-II listed grammar school building and lodge and the construction of a new sports hall and teaching block.

There would also be internal and external alternations to the grammar school and lodge buildings together with associated works including landscaping, parking and the siting of temporary accommodation.

A report from a council planning officer to next week's meeting of the strategic planning board (SPB) states: "The application site comprises the school campus which has several buildings, sports pitches, car parking and other areas of hard standing.

"Several of the buildings are modern additions to the complex but there are two Grade-II listed buildings within the site – the grammar school and grammar school lodge.

"These two buildings were designed by the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott.

"The grammar school is described as 'Victorian style' and the lodge as 'Gothic style'.

"Both are significant heritage assets, and their setting is an important consideration."

advertisement

The proposed works at the Crewe Road school include:

• Removal of buildings at the end of their useful life;
• Construction of new school buildings, including teaching block, new swimming pool and sports facilities block – two blocks will be connected at first-floor level by a bridge containing a new music department;
• Refurbishment of six existing buildings;
• New pedestrian and cycling pathway adjacent to the current vehicular access with new car parking and cycle shelters
• New hard and soft landscaping.

The report states: "The scheme is for a comprehensive revamp of the educational buildings including the demolition of many of the later buildings to the south-west of the site and the construction of two new educational blocks.

"This includes the demolition of two later rear extensions to the Grade-II listed building and refurbishment of the listed structure.

"The proposed repairs to the listed buildings are welcomed and officers have no objection to the removal of the later extensions as they will open up the rear elevation as was originally intended when built.

"There are no objections to the later buildings being removed from the site as the proposals will benefit the immediate setting of the listed buildings."

Temporary buildings, including a teaching block, sports hall, changing room and dining hall would be sited on the existing tennis courts while the work took place.

These would be removed following completion and the tennis courts resurfaced.

The officers are recommending that, at next week's SPB meeting, councillors delegate approval with conditions to the head of planning in consultation with the committee chair and vice chair, subject to the submission of a satisfactory protected species survey.

advertisement

This is because the scheme is acknowledged as a 'time-critical' project for the Department for Education and the school, but a decision cannot be made until a bat survey has been undertaken.

The SPB meeting takes place at 10.30am at Macclesfield Town Hall on Wednesday, April 29.

An application for listed building consent for the scheme will also be considered at the same meeting.

Would you like to know more about Sandbach?

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Sandbach Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Please consider following Sandbach Nub News on Facebook  or X (Twitter)

We also have a weekly newsletter with the TOP FIVE stories of the week - sign up here