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The future of education in Calderdale: Go-ahead for £50m college development and a school revamp
MASSIVE projects to competely rebuild Calderdale College and a primary school in the district have been given the go-ahead.
The 50 million college development – one of the largest public investments ever made in Halifax – and the transformation of Cliffe Hill Primary School, Lightcliffe were backed by councillors at a planning meeting.
Work could start as soon as April on the new look college which will include a central three-storey glass-roofed atrium as a gateway to classrooms, workshops and a learning resource centre.
The seven-storey Percival Whitley Centre will be demolished while a theatre, dance studio and commercial salon will be included in the new facilities.
A new sports hall, all-weather sports court and two grass pitches will be built as part of the scheme.
The new developments will be focused largely on the former Princess Mary School site and will link to an extended creative and construction skills centre – which opened five years ago – by an aerial walkway over Francis Street.
The Percival Whitley Centre will be replaced by a small two-storey building shielded from People's Park by an improved tree belt.
Committee chairman Martin Peel said: "This is a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Calderdale to change the face and feel of further education for generations of students. It can only benefit the entire community."
Councillors also approved the rebuilding of Cliffe Hill Community Primary to replace the series of 1950s buildings where pupils are currently taught.
The multi-million pound project – which will see the building shift eastwards within its own grounds – will create a playing field for the first time in the school's history.
Robin Dixon, of architects Aedas, said: "This will provide children and staff with the perfect educational facilities to meet the needs of the future."
The new oval shaped two-storey building will have an outdoor courtyard in its centre and house nursery, infant and junior classrooms, a hall, shared areas and a small library room.
David Ginley (Con, Warley) said: "The need to replace this school was identified two years ago and this is as an innovative and imaginative design as we could have hoped for. Let's get on with it."
The new school will be one of four Calderdale is allowed to build under the national primary capital programme – a funding scheme to improve buildings for primaries over the next 14 years.
It will cater for 210 pupils and include a specialist autistic disorders unit.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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