DPP Planning are preparing to submit a planning application on behalf of John Graham Construction (on behalf of the Department for Education) for the redevelopment of Castle Rock School which includes the demolition of exisiting school buildings and construction of a new, two-storey replacement teaching block.

Undertaking public consultation with local residents in advance of submitting a planning application is an important part of the process for the applicants, and allows members of the public and the local community to engage with the vision for the site and to provide valuable feedback on the proposals.

The Site

The site is outlined in red on the aerial image below and extends to approximately 13.57ha in size. The site currently comprises of Castle Rock Secondary School which is a mixed comprehensive school for 1,550 pupils across age 11-18, including a 300 place sixth form, managed by the Lionheart Educational Trust.

The site is semi-urban, to the southeast of the school lies a SEN School known as Forest Way School, residential dwellings are located directly to the south and west of the site. The northern and eastern boundaries of the site are defined by Meadow Lane and Warren Hills Road. The remaining surrounding area consists of open fields.

The Proposal

The proposals involve the redevelopment of the existing Castle Rock site, including the demolition of a few existing school buildings, the erection of a new two-storey replacement teaching block and external works involving the installation of a three court Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and additional landscaping.

The proposed development seeks the demolition of five existing school buildings which are marked in red on the Site Plan available to view/download below. As explained above, these are deteriorating and/or no longer fit for purpose and the DfE have therefore agreed that the redevelopment of the site proves the most cost-effective option.

The proposals include the erection of a new two-storey teaching block that will form a U-shape that adjoins the western elevation of the existing main school building. Proposals will group all teaching accommodation in the north western part of the site, which will form a cohesive, operationally efficient campus for the school. Internally, the new block will provide new teaching accommodation, a dining hall and accompanying kitchen, an assembly hall, offices, and other social and storage spaces. As this is simply an application for replacement teaching space, the redevelopment does not propose an increase in the school’s pupils or staff numbers.

The provision of a new build teaching block will provide improved teaching facilities which are accessible to all and improve safety for students due to the improved operational circulation of the school. The new build will provide a modern and sustainable location for students to learn in a comfortable environment on a rationalised site which will reduce travel times across the site and between buildings.

Relevant areas of the new building will also be made available for varied community access and use outside of school hours via a separate, designated entrance – leading from the main vehicular and pedestrian entrance into the site.

The main vehicular and pedestrian entrance would remain as existing from Meadow Lane. There are no proposals to alter the existing car parking provision, and this will remain central in the site. The secondary vehicular access via Warren Hills Lane, currently shared by Forest Way SEN School is also to be retained but will remain as a secondary access. A temporary construction access from Warren Hills Lane is proposed and this is shown on the Site Plan available to view/download below.

Externally, a new three-court multi-use games area (MUGA) is proposed within the eastern portion of the site and would be made available for wider community use. Again, the siting of the MUGA in this location ensures that the site remains operationally efficient as all the sports uses are to be grouped in the eastern portion of the site. This will also help facilitate community use of all available sports facilities.

In addition, new landscaping is proposed throughout the site to create an attractive learning environment for all.