Star proposes Cheetham Hill primary school
Plans are being worked up for a 420-pupil primary school on an area of green space known as Bignor Street Park in Manchester.
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 a planning application is due to be submitted early next year.
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.
Haha more green space being removed by MCC
By UNESCO rep
Whilst this park needs investment I’m not sure this is the right approach here. Maybe one of the other single story schools in the area should expanded (vertically) rather than building on green space.
By Aaron
What an absolute disgrace, there’s barely any green space in the immediate vicinity either! Grim
By Anonymous
I have lived on this street for 30 plus years. Best news ever. Park wasn’t being used properly and was neglected for a very long time. Looking forward to the school to be built. I welcome the good news.
By Mohammad Alam
Thats great news , will sort out 2 problems in one go. No one goes to the park and school is needed as the demand arises. Good luck.
By S.T
Bignor Park and the playing fields are being used daily, I don’t know what you mean about “no one goes to the park”. Also, Heywood St is one of the few roads in Cheetham Hill that is easily accessible so parking is not an issue at the moment – until there’s the school traffic! A badly thought plan in my opinion.
By Anonymous
Great idea! Good use of the land too – what better way than to educate youngsters.
By Alison
It would be ideal to utilize a spacious location for productivity alongside a reputable learning institute. Otherwise, that area has been greatly plagued by the misconduct of teenagers.
By Usman