Birmingham school buildings to be demolished as redevelopment project approved
The proposed works are set to take place across six different phases.
Major proposals to demolish buildings and redevelop a Birmingham school have been given the green light.
Plans were lodged to replace the majority of the existing buildings at Fortis Academy in Great Barr, with the city council saying they were “no longer fit for modern day teaching purposes”.
A number of new buildings are now set to be constructed as part of a Department for Education (DfE) programme, with the completed school site planned to open in the academic year 2030.
A Birmingham council officer wrote in a recent report that the scheme would deliver “significant educational, social and community benefits” and recommended it for approval.
“The proposed redevelopment of Fortis Academy would represent a substantial and much-needed investment from the DfE in modernising the existing ageing and inefficient school facilitates,” they said.
Speaking at a meeting today, councillors Gareth Moore and Joe Peacock stressed the investment in the school should benefit the wider community too.
Planning committee chair Cllr Martin Brooks said: “This is clearly a major education investment for the school and massive improvements in terms of the facilities to both the students and hopefully to the community.
“I think that is an important point that’s been raised. Whatever we can do in planning terms we should do, whatever other avenues we have in terms of other departments to ensure there is community use would be helpful.”
A council officer added: “The DfE have told us this is one of the biggest school projects they are doing in the country so it’s a huge thing for us. It’s going to be great for the community and also the children of the city.”
The plans were ultimately approved by the committee earlier today, August 13.
The proposed works, set to take place across six different phases, include:
- Demolition of the existing buildings on site (except for Sixth form block).
- Construction of a main school block containing general and specialist teaching and dining hall.
- Construction of a separate Sports and Performing Arts block.
- The provision of new landscaping, hard standing, games court areas, sport pitches.
- Visitor and staff parking, cycle parking and coach drop off facilities.
- New boundary fencing and access gates.
“The scheme would deliver high-quality teaching, dining and sports facilities and improved external play areas,” the council officer’s report added.
“The proposed development has been sensitively designed to respect surrounding residential properties with appropriate design and massing and would not negatively impact on visual or residential amenity in the vicinity.”
It continued: “The proposal would deliver an overall uplift in outdoor sports provision, with enhanced sport pitch quality, increased soft play area and secured community access.
“While the reduction in indoor sports hall size is noted, this matter is outweighed by the wider public benefits of the scheme, and the delivery of modern, fit for purpose school facilities.”