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School places in Bishop's Cleeve

Planning / School delivery update since June 2022

Since the planning committee’s deferral decision in June 2022, the design team have worked on and reviewed a range of options to provide the requested drop off provision on the Greenacres Primary School site. During this time, it also allowed Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) time to review the overall proposal. The subsequent review concluded that the latest projections indicate there is sufficient capacity within local primary schools to support demand for September 2024 Reception intake, with the new school being required for Sept 2025.

Following the conclusion of the design review and as the changes proposed differed significantly from the previous application, the 3FE planning application was withdrawn.

Planning / School delivery update as of July 2024

The planning application for the revised design of the new school was submitted in September 2023 and is awaiting determination.

As part of the annual review of the of pupil forecasts, it is predicted that the school will be required from September 2028 at the earliest. This change is a result of economic conditions, reduced house building completions and a falling birth rate. No decision has been made regarding the actual delivery or opening time of the school at this stage and is something GCC will continue to monitor and will be able to review the position when the forecasts are reviewed early next year (2025), using the latest housing updates and birth data.

 

1. Where will the school be located?

The school will be located on land adjacent to Old Farmers Arms, Evesham Road, Bishops Cleeve – GL52 8SA

2. Why has this particular location been chosen?

Land for a new primary school is very limited in the Bishop's Cleeve area as much has been taken up for new housing development. This area of land was considered to be in an appropriate location and of size to serve the majority of new housing situated to the north of the village.

3. Why has there been a significant delay since June 22 Planning committee?

Following the planning deferral decision, a full review of the scheme has been undertaken in light of the comments received. The Education Planning and Infrastructure (EPI) team has taken this opportunity to carry out further due diligence and to look at the expected timing of need for the school following receipt of the very latest projections/pupil forecasts.

There have been a number of high-level discussions with Senior GCC Officers, GCC Planning and GCC Highways over a revised scheme including the provision of a drop off at the school, as required by the planning deferral.

4. Are we still using the same site?

We will be using the same site. The location of the school is still relevant to the future need from new housing. The site has been acquired and is owned by GCC.

5. Has there been any change to pupil number projections?

We have noted that in the last four years post pandemic, there has been a reduction trend in predicted pupil numbers arising from new developments. We believe the recent slowdown in growth is due in part, to the pandemic, the impact of current global economics (resulting in a reduction in people starting families at this moment in time) and a slow down in the building of housing in the area. This is not just local to Gloucestershire but is happening nationwide. This trend could of course change again in the future.

6. When will the school open?

It is predicted that the school will be required from September 2028 at the earliest. No decision has been made regarding the actual delivery or opening time of the school at this stage and is something GCC will continue to monitor.

7. Is there sufficient capacity in the planning area to support the delay in the delivery of the school?

Yes. The current forecasts show there is sufficient capacity in schools in the area to meet the demand prior to the opening of the new school.

8. Will the new school affect parking and traffic in the area?

As part of the design process, the Local Authority and design team have appointed a transport consultant to assess the traffic and highways implications arising from the new school.  This assessment will be submitted as part of the formal planning application. The impact on the local highway network arising from the new school will be considered in addition to committed development in the area and, if necessary, mitigation will be proposed to make the development acceptable in planning terms. 

9. Will the new building be sustainable?

​The new school will be designed in line with the council’s commitment to becoming carbon net zero by 2030. Work to consider the design and sustainability options is currently ongoing.​

10. Will this require planning permission?

Planning permission will be required for any proposals. The Local Planning Authority (Gloucestershire County Council) will provide an independent assessment of the proposed work, which will also be reviewed by other statutory bodies. It will be for them to decide whether to grant planning permission and where necessary to put in place conditions to manage the development, including making sure there is minimal disruption during construction.

11. Who will run the school?

The Multi Academy Trust, Gloucester Learning Alliance (GLA) has been appointed by the Secretary of State to be the sponsor for the new primary school in Bishop’s Cleeve. The appointment comes after Gloucestershire County Council held a free school presumption route competition inviting Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) to bid to run the new provision. Gloucestershire Learning Alliance currently have 8 schools in the MAT of which 7 are within Gloucestershire.

12. Who will be building the school?

The school will be designed by Roberts Limbrick Architects and constructed by a local family run Gloucestershire firm EG Carter who has been appointed as the principal contractor.

13. Who can I contact if I would like to ask a question about this proposal?

Any comments or questions can be raised by emailing universalcommissioning@gloucestershire.gov.uk or by calling 01452 328 680.

1. Where will the school be located?

The school will be located on land adjacent to Old Farmers Arms, Evesham Road, Bishops Cleeve – GL52 8SA

2. Why has this particular location been chosen?

Land for a new primary school is very limited in the Bishop's Cleeve area as much has been taken up for new housing development. This area of land was considered to be in an appropriate location and of size to serve the majority of new housing situated to the north of the village.

3. Why has there been a significant delay since June 22 Planning committee?

Following the planning deferral decision, a full review of the scheme has been undertaken in light of the comments received. The Education Planning and Infrastructure (EPI) team has taken this opportunity to carry out further due diligence and to look at the expected timing of need for the school following receipt of the very latest projections/pupil forecasts.

There have been a number of high-level discussions with Senior GCC Officers, GCC Planning and GCC Highways over a revised scheme including the provision of a drop off at the school, as required by the planning deferral.

4. Are we still using the same site?

We will be using the same site. The location of the school is still relevant to the future need from new housing. The site has been acquired and is owned by GCC.

5. Has there been any change to pupil number projections?

We have noted that in the last four years post pandemic, there has been a reduction trend in predicted pupil numbers arising from new developments. We believe the recent slowdown in growth is due in part, to the pandemic, the impact of current global economics (resulting in a reduction in people starting families at this moment in time) and a slow down in the building of housing in the area. This is not just local to Gloucestershire but is happening nationwide. This trend could of course change again in the future.

6. When will the school open?

It is predicted that the school will be required from September 2028 at the earliest. No decision has been made regarding the actual delivery or opening time of the school at this stage and is something GCC will continue to monitor.

7. Is there sufficient capacity in the planning area to support the delay in the delivery of the school?

Yes. The current forecasts show there is sufficient capacity in schools in the area to meet the demand prior to the opening of the new school.

8. Will the new school affect parking and traffic in the area?

As part of the design process, the Local Authority and design team have appointed a transport consultant to assess the traffic and highways implications arising from the new school.  This assessment will be submitted as part of the formal planning application. The impact on the local highway network arising from the new school will be considered in addition to committed development in the area and, if necessary, mitigation will be proposed to make the development acceptable in planning terms. 

9. Will the new building be sustainable?

​The new school will be designed in line with the council’s commitment to becoming carbon net zero by 2030. Work to consider the design and sustainability options is currently ongoing.​

10. Will this require planning permission?

Planning permission will be required for any proposals. The Local Planning Authority (Gloucestershire County Council) will provide an independent assessment of the proposed work, which will also be reviewed by other statutory bodies. It will be for them to decide whether to grant planning permission and where necessary to put in place conditions to manage the development, including making sure there is minimal disruption during construction.

11. Who will run the school?

The Multi Academy Trust, Gloucester Learning Alliance (GLA) has been appointed by the Secretary of State to be the sponsor for the new primary school in Bishop’s Cleeve. The appointment comes after Gloucestershire County Council held a free school presumption route competition inviting Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) to bid to run the new provision. Gloucestershire Learning Alliance currently have 8 schools in the MAT of which 7 are within Gloucestershire.

12. Who will be building the school?

The school will be designed by Roberts Limbrick Architects and constructed by a local family run Gloucestershire firm EG Carter who has been appointed as the principal contractor.

13. Who can I contact if I would like to ask a question about this proposal?

Any comments or questions can be raised by emailing universalcommissioning@gloucestershire.gov.uk or by calling 01452 328 680.