On behalf of Tilbury Douglas Construction and the Department for Education, Iceni Projects’ Manchester Office managed the planning application and public consultation process concerning the redevelopment of Sandilands Primary School, Manchester.

The scheme is one of the many schools in the region benefitting from the Government’s ‘school rebuilding programme’, which carries out major rebuilding and refurbishment projects at school and sixth-form college buildings across England, with buildings prioritised according to their condition.

In this case, the existing school building is a sprawling single storey block, spread across the site. It was determined that the most efficient way to redevelop the site, and to ensure pupil learning is not disrupted, is to construct a new two storey building on the site, allowing pupils to transfer across once complete, followed by the demolition of the current building at the end of the construction process.

The scheme will provide an improved overall site layout, a high quality singular building with twenty classrooms and SEN and Learning Resource spaces. The scheme will also deliver a sensory garden and improved outdoor landscaped areas,  as well as EV charging points and photovoltaic canopies to ensure the school is net zero carbon in operation.

The school is located within a suburban area of South Manchester and it was important to engage with the ward members and local residents to ensure they had the opportunity to ask questions and were confident in the ability of Tilbury Douglas to deliver this scheme.

As the scheme is required to be partially constructed on the school’s existing playing field, the scheme was required to deliver an area of replacement playing field. This matter required close liaison with Sport England to ensure that they were satisfied with the proposals.

Iceni’s Manchester team managed the project from the pre-application stage through to determination. The team submitted the application in spring 2023 and were able to secure planning permission by September of the same year, via a delegated decision, as there were no objections to the application.

Iceni are retained to manage the discharge of condition process and a start on site is expected in early 2024.