Plans for school rebuild revealed

Plans to completely rebuild University Academy Long Sutton have been unveiled.

The trust behind the multi-million pound development says it hopes it will go before a planning committee in July and, if passed, work can start in September.

Developers Bowmer and Kirkland are aiming to complete the scheme for the University of Lincoln Academy Trust in time for the 2026/27 school year.

It says the new school is proposed to provide students with modern facilities, including ICT rich classrooms and a net zero carbon energy system.

There will also be increased provision for students with Special Education Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).

The school building is planned to be set back further from the road with improved car parking, including a designated area for school buses.

A public consultation will officially be launched with an event on Monday, March 4.

It will be in the school library and open to school staff, pupils and partners from 4pm to 5pm and then residents, stakeholders and councillors from 5pm to 7pm.

There is also a website to enable interested parties to view the proposals and share their initial thoughts, www.universityacademylongsutton.co.uk

“This is an opportunity for residents of the community and parents of students to attend and share their thoughts in advance of the formal planning submission,” a spokesperson for planning consultants Dobson and Grey said.

“The redevelopment of University Academy Long Sutton will support the school in achieving an improved environment that helps to support its mission statement; ‘to provide a broad general education to produce well adjusted, balanced individuals who work hard and respect themselves and those around them’.

“The new school proposals target the primary infrastructure concerns raised in initial surveys, by replacing infrastructure that is past its useful economic life, creating classrooms that are more temperature efficient and raising the finished floor levels to mitigate water ingress in certain areas of the school.

“Additionally, the proposals include improved car parking for staff and visitors together with new dedicated parking spaces for school buses.

“The layout of the school will provide SEND students additional space in the purpose-designed SEND area to allow them to obtain the extra support they require and maximise their educational potential.”

University Academy Long Sutton has been prioritised by the government to be one of the 61 schools part of part of the third phase of its school rebuilding programme.

Dobson and Gray say they hope to get as many comments by March 5, but the consultation will continue until the closure of submissions for the official planning process.