PLANS to build Wiltshire’s first climate-friendly school are under way, as Wiltshire Council announce work has begun to develop the long-awaited primary school in Pathfinder Place, Bowerhill.
The school will be Bowerhill’s second primary school and is expected to be the county’s first carbon neutral school, helping achieve Wiltshire Council’s business plan of being a carbon neutral county by 2030.
Wiltshire councillor for the Bowerhill ward, cllr Nick Holder said, “Wiltshire Council have now appointed a contractor, ISG, to develop pre-construction works. This includes an accepted design to RIBA stage 4, an agreed construction programme, and a full planning application.
“The school will be designed to be carbon neutral. ISG are expecting to submit a pre-application in mid-May, followed by a full application in August. They aim to have planning permission in December. Between May and August, ISG will consult with the local community on design and access. This consultation will be held locally.
“A member of the Wiltshire Council climate team will be heavily involved in the design input and the school will be a template for future carbon neutral schools that will be built in the county. We look forward to the public consultation.”
Land for a primary school in Pathfinder Place was set aside in 2016. Concern was raised that plans had been shelved because there had been no update of the development until November last year, when Wiltshire Council announced the school would only be built when other schools in Melksham were full.
This brought criticism from local councillors who wanted the scheme fast-tracked to accommodate Melksham’s growing population.
A public consultation is expected to take place between now and August.