Bromsgrove School: Plans for new teaching facility approved

The proposal, which was submitted to Bromsgrove District Council by Bromsgrove School, will see an existing building at 80 Worcester Road demolished to make way for 16 new classrooms. 

According to the planning statement, the teaching facility will largely be used by sixth form students and will also include associated car and cycle parking and a landscaped garden. 

There will also be a "flexible space" which will be used to offer careers and university advice to students. 

In the design and access statement, a spokesperson on behalf of the school said: "The proposal is to construct a new teaching facility for Bromsgrove School with associated car and cycle parking and a landscaped garden setting.

"The teaching facility is intended to be used largely by sixth form students and consists of 16 classrooms with associated stores, department bases and toilets.

"The accommodation also includes a flexible space, promoting students' future development including careers and university advice.

"The additional teaching rooms will serve an expanding curriculum and possibly a small increase in boarding pupils."

The new facility will be located at the former Altered Images fitness gym site with car parking wrapping around three sides of the building.

There are currently 44 designated car parking spaces.

The planning application said the building is currently vacant as Altered Images Gym was forced to close on June 29, 2023, due to a significant reduction in membership numbers after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The building will be located at the former Altered Images gym on Worcester Road (Image: Robothams/Google)

The plans have received a mixed response from those in the area who support the school improving their facilities but are concerned about access and parking. 

On the planning portal, Matt Round said: "We have viewed the plans and are concerned that the entrance has been relocated very close to our salon.

"The plan seems to suggest that the pavement in front of our salon will be reduced substantially to accommodate a wide entrance.

"We wish to stress that reducing the width of the pavement outside our salon on what is already a very busy road would be a safety issue.

"We would ask that we can see the proposal drawings and how this will affect our 17-year-old business."

Kamal Dhakal added: "We would like to express our support for the school's initiatives to improve its facilities. We understand the importance of such developments and appreciate the efforts to enhance the school's environment and functionality.

"However, we wish to bring to your attention a crucial aspect concerning our property's access and how it will affect our business.

"Our business relies exclusively on the use of the Altered Images car park entrance. Our suppliers delivering goods and our drivers delivering food exclusively rely on the access getting into our car park and getting out.

"It is imperative for us to maintain uninterrupted access through this area to ensure our daily activities run smoothly and emergencies are managed without hindrance.

"We humbly request that when making any plans for the car park, landscaping, or other related modifications, you consider the necessity of our access through the Altered Images car park." 

The plans for the new facility were approved by the council on Friday (June 28).