BROMSGROVE School have been given the greenlight to bulldoze and redevelop the former Altered Images building.
The proposals were voted for unanimously by Bromsgrove District Council during Monday’s planning meeting (April 29).
The site, which was home to the longstanding Altered Images gym for over 30 years before its closure last June, will be torn down to make way for a new education facility for the school.
The school is planning to increase boarding accommodation by converting existing teaching buildings at its senior school campus, creating the need for additional teaching space elsewhere.
A 2.5 storey building, comprising of sixteen classrooms and supporting spaces, is the main aim of the development. It is intended primarily for the school’s sixth form usage and aims to be designed and delivered with support from Delta Planning and Robothams Architects..
A wing at the rear would serve functions such as career or university advice as well as student breakout spaces for group work. The gross internal floor space of the building is 1,425sq. metres.
A total of 16 parking spaces including two accessible spots would be provided at the rear of the site alongside provision for 16 bicycle storage spaces.
A new pedestrian crossing is proposed on Worcester Road to improve access to the site for staff, students and visitors.
The proposals include a significant soft landscaped area surrounding the proposed facility. It will be also be surrounded by an ‘intruder proof’ hedge and a 1.8m high acoustic timber fence along the east boundary.
Vehicle and pedestrian access with be retained via security gates with coded access.
Following heritage consideration, a conservation officer supported the proposed design and advised the proposals should refer to the look of the Grade II listed Thomas Cookes House, without directly replicating it.
During consultation, some nearby business owners and residents raised concerns about the impacts of access to their properties as a result of the proposals. It has been confirmed existing access will be retained to adjacent properties.
The applicants will be required to contribute £4,500 for a Traffic Regulation Order for a puffin crossing located on Worcester Road, £19,000 for the crossing’s maintenance, and a planning obligation monitoring fee.
