DELIVERING PUPIL PLACES AND CREATING FIRST CLASS EDUCATIONAL ACCOMMODATION
A message from our Head of Education
The need to deliver new school places is critical, as is the need to replace the existing school stock, which has been further exacerbated by the RAAC crisis. Despite this, the Planning system can act as a block to this delivery. All too often it is assumed that a school project will automatically ‘sail’ through the Planning process. However issues such as loss of playing fields, traffic intensification, impact on residential amenity and developing in the Green Belt can all lead to objections and delay.
DPP stands out with an exceptional track record in delivering school projects across the UK. We have delivered consents in the face of significant objections and achieved programmes that appeared impossible to achieve. We understand the needs of schools, the issues they will face through the planning process and also the pressures those delivering the schools are under.
We have extensive experience in dealing with the particular challenges of delivering SEN and SEND provision and our schools portfolio includes schemes built using both complete off-site MMC and traditional builds. We are at the forefront of delivering innovative schemes including the one of the DfE’s flagship Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCIO) schools as well as a number of ‘Gen Z Pods’ which provide rapid, Net zero carbon, freestanding, adaptable accommodation at existing school sites. We have developed a tried and tested on-line consultation model, as well as having extensive experience in face to face public consultation.
Image: Ryder Architecture
Strategic Solutions & Best Practice Planning
DPP has vast experience in delivering nursery, school and post-16 schemes and advises on:
- Permitted Development Rights
- On-line and in-person stakeholder engagement
- Planning Strategy
- Planning Statements
- Health Impact Assessments
- Playing Field Assessments
- Project Management
We excel in obtaining consents for school, working closely with contractors, the DfE and Local Education Authorities, Trusts and Academies and design teams. Our services include advising on feasibility, identifying Planning constraints and opportunities and engaging with stakeholders. We are the key point of contact with Local Planning Authorities and lead on pre-application enquiries and navigating an application through to determination. We provide clarity on timescales while managing client expectations
We specialise in proactive dialogue with LPA’s, who are statutorily bound by a shorter determination period on school schemes, but who are often under-resourced and look to help them meet their targets. We negotiate on our clients’ behalf to minimise pre-commencement conditions and ensure a swift start on site to meet programme and co-ordinate and manage discharge of conditions.
Image: Pick Everard Architects
ASTLEY’S COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL AND WHYTRIG MIDDLE SCHOOL
Client: Northumberland County Council / Faithful & Gould
Project Value: £40m
DPP secured planning approval at committee, on behalf of Northumberland County Council, for the new schools following a positive officer recommendation. The site is located in a sensitive setting, adjacent to the conservation area and heritage assets as well as being located in the Green Belt and adjacent to existing residential properties. DPP prepared a detailed planning submission, including a Planning Statement and Green Belt Assessment to demonstrate policy compliance and the very special circumstances case for the development.
The £40M project will see Astley’s Community High School and Whytrig Middle School rebuilt on a new shared campus to create a state-of-the-art learning environment for over 1,000 students. The campus will also include sporting facilities, including a swimming pool, which will be available for community use. The site chosen will provide a central location for pupils and staff, allowing many to walk and travel sustainably to site.
Image: Ryder Architecture
NEWHOUSE ACADEMY, ROCHDALE
Client: Morgan Sindall
Project Value: £18.6m
DPP on behalf of Morgan Sindall successfully secured planning permission for the demolition of the existing Intergrid blocks and construction of a replacement school building, construction of additional toilet facilities, and the refurbishment of the existing plant, water tank and substation block at Newhouse Academy, Newhouse Road, Heywood, Rochdale.
Through active engagement with the LPA, we managed the application to decision and it was approved in December 2022. DPP have been retained to discharge the conditions tied to the planning permission and to deal with any amendments to the approved scheme
Image: jmarchitects
TULIP ACADEMY, SPALDING
Client: Tilbury Douglas
Project Value: £11m
DPP were instructed by Tilbury Douglas (on behalf of the Department for Education) to prepare, submit and manage an application which sought the demolition of the existing school building and the erection of a new teaching block to provide much-needed new facilities for the school, together with temporary accommodation to house the pupils during the construction process.
DPP managed the application process from submission to decision, and successfully negotiated on matters such as Biodiversity Net Gain and the wording of the planning conditions to ensure the scheme was deliverable for the client. Permission was granted on 8th November 2023 and DPP is now retained to discharge the planning conditions.
Image: CPMG
TRINITY FIELDS, CAERPHILLY
Client: Willmott Dixon
Project Value: £12.5m
DPP were appointed by Willmott Dixon, who were acting on behalf of Caerphilly County Borough Council, to act as planning agents for an application for the erection of a two-storey extension, new main entrance, link and parking at Trinity Fields School in Caerphilly.
DPP have provided accurate advice to the client throughout the planning process and have liaised with the case officer and other key stakeholders to address any issues that were raised. This effective communication allowed for a timely decision to be made within just 10 weeks, with approval granted at planning committee in July 2023.
Image: Rio Architecture
WEST COVENTRY SCHOOL
Client: Bowmer + Kirkland
Project Value: £30.2m
DPP were instructed by Bowmer + Kirkland on behalf of the Department for Education to secure planning permission for full planning application for the demolition of the existing school buildings and construction of a replacement secondary school comprising a three-storey teaching block with linked single-storey double height sports building, the construction of a new access off Tile Hill Lane, and associated parking, external landscaping works, outdoor sports facilities, and infrastructure. Planning consent was successfully secured for this project in August 2021.
DPP also worked with the Local Planning Authority, Bowmer + Kirkland and other relevant consultees to ensure conditions were discharged promptly to ensure development was able to start as soon as possible.
Image: Stride Treglown
PINEWOOD SEND SCHOOL, EAST HERTFORDSHIRE
Client: Bowmer + Kirkland
Project Value: £22m
On behalf of Bowmer + Kirkland, DPP were instructed to provide planning services in respect of proposals to demolish the existing school and to construct a replacement SEND school with associated landscaping and parking.
The site was located within the Green Belt, as such DPP prepared a Green Belt Assessment, alongside the Planning Statement, to demonstrate that there would be no adverse harm to the Green Belt and that Very Special Circumstances do exist. DPP secured planning approval for the development in December 2023.
Image: CPMG
COOMBE BOYS SCHOOL, NEW MALDEN
Client: Bowmer + Kirkland
Project Value: £38m
DPP have successfully secured planning permission for the redevelopment of Coombe Boys School in New Malden as part of the Government’s School Rebuilding Programme. The proposal includes the demolition of several blocks, retention and retrofit to another and the construction of two new teaching buildings to provide a more consolidated and efficient footprint. The proposed development was approved unanimously at Planning Committee on 1st November 2023.
DPP are working closely with the school, Bowmer + Kirkland and the Local Planning Authority to ensure that conditions are discharged to allow for the delivery of the scheme.
Image: Jestico and Whiles
Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy, Middleton
Client: Elliot Group / Algeco
Project Value: £19.6m
On behalf of Algeco and the Department for Education, DPP secured a major delegated planning consent for a new 9FE secondary school in Middleton, Leeds, known as the Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy. The school opened its doors in September 2024 and will eventually accommodate 1,050 pupils, replacing an existing temporary school site elsewhere within Middleton, delivering much-needed school places in this district of Leeds.
DPP successfully negotiated with the LPA on key material planning concerns, and through positive pre-application meetings and a presentation to the Leeds Plans Panel, DPP secured a key delegated decision on the application, avoiding the need to attend Planning Committee. A public consultation exercise was also run which helped to remove potential objections from nearby residents adjacent to the planned new access point. Key planning policy issues included dealing with the issue of loss of land allocated as open green space.
Image: Algeco & DLA
TRINITY ACADEMY, BRADFORD
Client: Kier
Project Value: £23m
DPP were instructed by Kier Construction (and on behalf of the Department of Education) to prepare and project manage a planning application for the redevelopment of Trinity Academy Bradford secondary school. The redevelopment will consist of a new teaching block to the centre of the site and new MUGA/additional grass pitch areas built on the site of the former school buildings following demolition.
DPP managed the determination period by effectively communicating with the Planning Officer to ensure all issues were efficiently addressed. As such, the application was approved within project timescales.
Image: Bond Bryan
