Views sought on plans for 118 homes at old Stourport Sixth Form

Homes builder Taylor Wimpey has today launched a consultation for the proposed 'Windermere Grange' development, which would generate funds for essential repairs to the nearby Stourport High School.

The Minster Road high school was due to be demolished and rebuilt during the mid 2000s, but plans were shelved following the cancellation of the government's Building Schools for the Future programme, meaning the school would have to find the money to repair the building itself.

The proposed housing development at the site of the old Stourport Sixth Form centre

Surveys identified that repairs were needed to the main fabric of the building, heating and mechanical installations needed to be replaced, asbestos removed, buildings re-cladded and electrical wiring replaced.

Despite securing a number of financial grants, Severn Academies Education Trust (SAET), which runs Stourport High, was unable to raise the amount of money required, and agreed with the Secretary of State to sell the land to help fund the repairs.

An initial public consultation for up to 100 new homes was held by the school in April 2019, and concerns were then raised over the potential for traffic "gridlock" near the planned access point in Coniston Crescent - a popular walking route for schoolchildren from the nearby Burlish Park Primary School.

The sale of the land would raise much-needed funds for repairs to Stourport High School

Now, Taylor Wimpey has agreed to take the plans forward. The sale of the site - if the proposal is approved - will then be used to pay for repairs to the school.

SAET chief executive Chris King said: “The sale of this surplus site will enable a £5 million cash injection for much-needed repairs to the secondary school.

“For years, way before becoming part of our trust, successive headteachers have appealed for investment to halt the decay of the outdated school buildings.

“This funding will allow us to provide an educational setting fit for purpose – conducive for learning and providing the amenities that students of the 21st century deserve.

The old Sixth Form Centre was damaged in a fire in May 2018. Photo by Leah Cutler

“It will complement other recent improvement works, notably the new sixth form centre and science block.”

The plans feature a mix of two, three and four-bedroom two-storey properties and areas of public open space.

The proposed site includes the old Sixth Form Centre - formerly Burlish Middle School - which fell victim to an arson attack in 2018, as well as some playing pitch land and a derelict caretaker's cottage.

Taylor Wimpey is proposing to maintain the access point used for the former Sixth Form to the south of Coniston Crescent. Pedestrian links would be created through the site to the allotments to the north.

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said: "We've come on board with the school to bring forward these plans.

"The purpose of the development is to raise money for the school, which needs to do quite a bit of upgrade works - £5.2million worth, according to the last report.

"The online consultation will run until October 30, 2020 and we are looking to get as many comments as possible from members of the public to help inform our final planning submission.

The proposed development site off Coniston Crescent in Stourport

"The layout plan is a working draft plan and will be updated incorporating as many of your comments as possible.

"We would therefore encourage any comments you have on the proposed scheme."

People can have their say on the plans at taylorwimpey.co.uk/windermeregrange. Comments can be made through the website or via email to windermeregrange@taylorwimpey-pr.co.uk.