PLANS for a new multi-million learning campus on the site of the current Pembroke Comprehensive School are expected to be approved by county planners on Tuesday, February 24.
The Pembrokeshire County Council application to redevelop the Bush school site is recommended for conditional approval at the county council’s planning committee.
The application involves a new 1,463 place pupil school, a vocational centre for 460 learners, an adult and community facility for 60 learners and an autism centre for 30 pupils.
The £42.4 million proposal is the result of a partnership between the county council and Pembrokeshire College.
The existing school buildings date from the mid 1950s with additions in the 60s and 70s.
A report for planners describes the existing buildings as offering “a poor quality learning environment with dispersed facilities and classrooms that fall short of meeting current curriculum space requirements.”
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Safeguarding Sue Perkins said the development would transform education delivery in Pembroke and the south of the county.
She added: “The council has undertaken four public engagement events over the last 18 months as part of the development and consultation process regarding the new school as well as working closely with the governing body.
“The response has been very positive and comments and views of the public have been considered and incorporated into the design of the school campus.”
Deputy chief executive Ben Pykett, senior officer responsible for the 21st Century Schools programme, said: “The new learning campus will create the right environment to provide the delivery of first class educational services.
“This will support our goal of delivering improved outcomes for our young people.”
If approved, work would start on site in this summer with phase one, the new school and vocational centre, being completed by September, 2017.
Phase two would be the demolition of the old school and the construction of new sports pitches due for completion by July, 2018.
The project is being jointly funded by the council and Welsh Government as part of its 21st Century Schools Programme.
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