Planning ahead for learning campus

Redcar and Cleveland Council is ready to submit its detailed planning application for the £16million Saltburn Learning Campus project next week.

The Campus will provide a new secondary school to replace the existing Huntcliff School buildings and a new primary school to replace the two Saltburn Primary School sites at Marske Mill Lane and Upleatham Street.

The development of the current Huntcliff School site will create a modern learning campus, expanding on the existing facilities of a Children’s Centre, Leisure Centre and Multi-Use Games Area providing life-long learning opportunities.

The first of two phases is hoped to commence in July, with the building of the new secondary school, and the second phase, the new primary school, will be completed by September 2009, subject to planning approval.

The Council’s Lead Member for Children's Services Councillor Valerie Halton said: “This is a marvellous and innovative project which will be a great asset to the young people and the wider community of Saltburn for years to come."

Members of the public attended the latest meeting at Huntcliff this week to see the proposals and designs for the development presented by Council officers and the project's architects, Aedas.

The Council's Capital Projects Manager Lionel Danby, who chaired the meeting, said: "The plans for the new buildings were generally well received. We have also taken on board issues raised and noted them for consideration during further design development."

Improved shared facilities for both schools and the community will include a sports hall, multi-use activity halls, changing facilities and remodelled playing fields.

Enclosed wildlife areas and amphitheatres will form new outdoor learning areas for the schools while woodland areas and landscaping will be used to improve the visible aspects of the site.

The inclusion of on-site parking, drop-off facilities and cycle storage is expected to alleviate public concerns over traffic management and control. A formal public consultation process will take place once the planning application has been submitted.

The Capital Projects Team's website is regularly updated as design development progresses - log on to www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk and click on the Capital Projects BLOG on the home page.