Bromsgrove School: Plan for new teaching facility approved

The old Altered Images gym on Worcester Road closed last summer due to "crippling energy costs" and low member numbers.

A planning application was lodged this year by Bromsgrove School for a new facility with associated car parking, landscaping, drainage and access.

A new 2.5 storey building will be constructed providing 16 classrooms with associated ancillary rooms intended mainly for sixth form students.

The wing at the rear would serve functions such as career and university advice, and student space for group work.

The proposed teaching facility for Bromsgrove School would support the main senior school campus at Worcester Road.

The existing vehicular access will be relocated and a new puffin crossing will be constructed to link the existing school campus on the south-east side of Worcester Road to the site. 

The former Altered Images gym (Image: Google)

As part of the planning statement, the applicants said: "The rationale for the proposals is based on Bromsgrove School’s plans to increase boarding accommodation through the conversion of some existing teaching buildings at its senior school campus.

"The school therefore requires additional space to provide teaching facilities to support the campus at Worcester Road".

The proposal was approved during a meeting of Bromsgrove District Council’s planning committee last week.

The former Altered Images gym was forced to close on June 29, 2023, due to a significant reduction in membership following changes in gym usage during and after the Covid-19 pandemic and increased running costs.

The site was originally built in 1977 as squash courts and a social club for an adjacent construction firm

The property which went out of business in early 1990 was then reopened and adapted in 1991 to Altered Images gym.