Widnes school given green light

Halton council has granted planning permission for the new Wade Deacon High School designed by Sheppard Robson in Widnes.

The scheme is understood to be the last project in the North West to be funded by the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Sheppard Robson is working within the Halton Transformational Partnership Consortium and was appointed as architect following a 15-month bid process. The consortium comprises Hochtief PPP Solutions, Galliford Try and VINCI Construction UK.

The project will transform Wade Deacon High School from four buildings across two sites into one building on a single site, incorporating the existing 1900s grammar school into the new structure.

Alex Solk, project leader and associate partner at Sheppard Robson, said: "We are delighted that planning permission and financial close for Wade Deacon has been achieved; it is obviously fantastic news for the students and, as always, we look forward to seeing the building develop."

He continued: "Wade Deacon is an inspirational building complete with cutting edge facilities to encourage learning for all – it will benefit the wider community as well as fulfilling its role in enhancing the learning experience of the students."

Completion is scheduled for May 2013.