Acer Academy, Salford

Introduction

DPP Planning are preparing to submit a planning application on behalf of Bowmer and Kirkland (on behalf of the Department for Education) for the development of a new SEND school free school to be known as Acer Academy on land to the south of Kintyre Avenue, Salford.

Undertaking public consultation with local residents in advance of submitting a planning application is an important part of the process for B&K Building Services, the DfE and the schools trust by allowing members of the public and the local community to engage with the vision for the site and to provide valuable feedback in relation to the proposals.

The Site

The site, outlined in red on the aerial image below, extends to approximately 1.54 ha in area and lies within Salford. The site was formerly occupied by All Souls Primary School before the school was then demolished in 2010/11. The site has been vacant since and has now become somewhat overgrown with grassland, shrubs and trees due to being unkept.

The Proposal

The proposed development seeks to construct a new, one-storey SEND Free School which will cater for 64 secondary school children covering Key Stages 3 – 4 to pupils (between 11 and 16 years old) with a wide range of special needs such as moderate/severe learning difficulties (MLD/SLD), symptoms of specifically social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH) and autism spectrum conditions (ASC).  The school will be run by the Kings Academy Trust and be known as ‘Acer Academy’.

As shown below on the Proposed Site Layout Plan, the proposed building will be one-storey in height and will be in the form of an ‘L’ shape located towards the eastern portion of the site.

Externally, it is proposed that there will be a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) located to the north of the school building, a grass playing field and habitat area to the west of the site and areas of soft play and outdoor dining will be provided for along the eastern boundary. The Trust have requested that all classrooms have direct external access. Internally, the new school building will provide teaching accommodation, a hall to be used for dining and sports, offices, and other social and storage spaces.

Vehicular and pedestrian access to the school for pupils will be provided via Cemetery Road which will pass through an existing opening in the fencing adjacent to the Cemetery (which lies towards the southeast of the site) leading to a pupil drop-off area to the south of the school building. Vehicular and pedestrian access for staff and visitors will be provided via Kintyre Avenue to the north of the site, and the associated car park will accommodate approximately 47 parking spaces (including 3 accessible spaces).

The proposed new school will be built using the DfE’s modern methods of construction (MMC) framework meaning that the school will be built using Panelised Offsite Construction Techniques that have been made in a factory and erected on site. The MMC framework results in a building that can be delivered in a shorter timeframe and features greater energy efficiency than traditional build methods and as such, it is proposed that the school will be net-zero carbon in operation.

Existing trees on the site’s boundaries will be retained and enhanced where possible. A hard and soft landscaping scheme will enhance the site to create an attractive environment for pupils, staff and visitors.

Providing your Feedback

Please provide your comments using the feedback form below or send any comments you may have to consultation@dppukltd.com where your feedback will be logged and any queries answered.

Please submit your comments on or before 11th July 2023.

Once the planning application has been submitted, full details will be available on the Council’s website and there will be a further opportunity to comment. 

We look forward to receiving your comments on the proposed development.