Cheshire East has backed plans for a £67 million redevelopment and modernisation of the historic Sandbach School – but no official approval can be given until a bat survey has been undertaken.

The proposal, which is being funded by the Department for Education, will see 10 blocks bulldozed 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.

Jessica Knight, the planning agent representing the applicant, told Wednesday's (29 April) meeting of the strategic planning board the existing buildings are no longer fit for modern day teaching purposes because of their physical condition.

"We have worked extensively with officers over the course of the application to overcome their concerns regarding the design and heritage impact of the proposals, and we have now reached a position where officers are supportive of the overall design and impact on these heritage assets," she said.

"There are a number of other significant benefits to the proposed development.

"This includes the provision of new modern teaching facilities, improved sustainability as the new buildings will achieve net zero carbon in operation, a significant biodiversity net gain and the development of new sports facilities that will be open for community use."

Ms Knight said the headteacher and school are delighted with the proposals and the 'once-in-a-lifetime investment that will not only preserve and enhance the listed buildings, which are so important to the school and town, but also provide state-of-the-art facilities, enhancing the educational experience of generations of students and the community'.

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But she said the scheme was 'time-critical'.

"It has been carefully designed to make full use of school holidays for health and safety reasons and to enable a timely transition from temporary to permanent accommodation," said the planning agent.

"Any slippage would undoubtedly mean in-term closures and therefore online learning for students, which the school are keen to avoid."

Cllr Martin Edwards (Crewe, Lab) said it was fabulous to see so much care being taken to look after old buildings.

Cllr Heather Seddon (Congleton, Lab) said: "As with all old buildings, it's important that we look after our heritage and it looks like a lot of work has gone in with the architects and the design with officers."

SPB chair Cllr Brian Puddicombe (Macclesfield, Lab) said: "It clearly is a fine building, but it's unfortunate scaffolding is up now for health and safety reasons, for the tiles that were coming off and need replacing.

"It's clearly a major investment into state education in Cheshire East, and it is a major project, time critical, and will make a big, big difference and bring the school into the 2020s and forward."

All councillors were in favour of the scheme and voted unanimously to 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.

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The decision had to be delegated 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.

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