Plans approved to redevelop The Park for new school and community building
Plans to create a new secondary school and community building in Knowle West have been approved – which means work can start this year.
Outline planning permission to redevelop the site at The Park Centre in Daventry Road was given this month (September), under delegated powers. The application was submitted to Bristol City Council last October following public consultation.
The application was for phased development of the site with the “erection of buildings for mixed community use… extension to retained sports hall, and associated works and infrastructure” as well as the construction of a new secondary school which will include mixed use games areas.
The new community building will cost £6.5m and be built next to the centre, which houses around 32 groups and organisations.
The Park has sold its current site to the Department for Education for £4.5m for a new 900-place secondary school. This will cater for pupils aged 11-16 from South Bristol and be run by Oasis Community Learning.
Consultations were held last year with the plans for the new building launched in June 2019 to give residents the chance to have their say on the development. They then had a further opportunity to comment on the amended plans in July and August and see outline plans for the new school.
Director (Operations) for The Park, Emma Hinton said: “We are very pleased that planning permission has now been granted for the redevelopment of The Park Centre.
“The new centre will secure the future of The Park and allow us to continue to work with the local, and wider, community. We would like to thank the community for their support and feedback during the consultations.
“Enabling works will begin by the end of this year, with a view then to a 12- month build.”
The work will allow Oasis Community Learning to move to the next stage of the planning process to get detailed plans approved for the school.
To view the application visit www.planningonline.bristol.gov.uk Ref 19/04881/P
