The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Plans to breathe new life into a post-16 centre in Spalding have been submitted to South Holland District Council.
The centre opened in 2008 but last year there were no students and its future was unclear.
But now the Springwell Alternative Academy is hoping to transform it into a new school.
“It is proposed to use the existing South Holland Post-16 Centre for the Spalding Springwell Academy which will provide 63 alternative provision spaces for Key Stages 1 to 4, aged five to 16 years,” says a supporting document with the application.
The centre is set within the grounds of the existing Sir John Gleed School but has separate access and car park provision.
Springwell Alternative Academy has submitted plans to create a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).
As part of the application, an overview of the new use was given. The MUGA will also be used as a drop-off point for student.
“The drop-off and pick-up point will be managed by Wellspring Trust Academy staff on the enclosed MUGA ensuring pupil safety is maintained at all times,” says the application.
“The building will require minor internal refurbishment and remodelling in order to enable it to be used as a permanent site – no temporary accommodation will be required,” it adds.
Project manager Adam McDermott said the site was one of four being taken over by the Trust for schools.
There is currently a period of consultation about the new schools and two public meetings have been arranged; one in Sleaford the other in Mablethorpe.
But Mr McDermott said residents from Spalding were welcome to attend.
A questionnaire has also been developed and the consultation process is due to close on Friday, December 15.
The Post-16 Centre was created at a cost of £3m and the Barnsley-based Wellspring Academy Trust is aiming to open it in May 2018.
No planning permission is required to re-use the building as a school, but the MUGA requires permission.
It will be available during out of school daylight hours for community use and will not be floodlit.
There will also be secure play areas and 2.4m high anti-climb fences.
The consultation meetings will be on Wednesday, November 8 at the council offices, Eastgate from 5pm to 7pm. The Mablethorpe meeting is a week later at Springwell Lincolnshire, Seaholme Road.
