Plans in for Cheetham Hill primary school 

Star Academies has lodged proposals for a 420-pupil school on a three-acre area of green space known as Bignor Street Park in Manchester. 

A consultation on the proposals, designed by Bowker Sadler Architecture, was held late last year. 

Known as Olive School, Star Academies’ two-form entry primary school would address “an identified need within the community”, according to consultation documents. 

Designed by Bowker Sadler Architecture, the Heywood Street school, adjoining car park, and multi-use games area would be constructed on the northern section of the three-acre site.  

The southern half of the site, currently occupied by a cricket pitch, would comprise a sports pitch and community batting nets.  

Under Manchester City Council’s planning policy, any scheme that results in the loss of a sports pitch can only go ahead if better replacement provision is delivered nearby.  

Star Academies plans to pay a financial contribution to the city council to support improvements to sports facilities at Smedley Lane and Cheetham Park.  

Conlon Construction is in line to build the primary school and Avison Young is advising on planning matters. 

To learn more about the plans, search for application reference 135936/FO/2023 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal. 

Earlier this year, developer Renaker won approval for a 236-pupil primary school on Crown Street as part of its Great Jackson Street masterplan.  

That facility would be the first primary school developed within Manchester’s inner ring road in two decades.