Mistley's Stourview Primary Academy plans for 'unsafe' site

Stourview Primary Academy, formerly Mistley Norman C of E Primary School, was one of 46 schools in Essex affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

Raac was used in schools, colleges and other buildings from the 1950s until the mid-1990s, but was deemed a risk in late 2023.

This is because Raac is less dense than traditional concrete and prone to collapse over time.

Education - Stourview C of E Primary Academy in 2024 (Image: Archive)

To keep staff and pupils safe, schools were ordered not to use potentially unsafe buildings, and urged to rebuild with help from the government.

Stourview had shut before the widespread school closures in September 2024, with the school's 68 pupils spending the rest of the school year at a school three miles away.

The school, in Remercie Road, has now put forward plans to demolish the existing main block and rebuild its premises.

Working with the Department of Education and its School Rebuilding Programme Scheme, the school hopes to build two junior classrooms, an infant classroom, a reception classroom, and a library, hall and special educational needs room.

Once the work is complete, the primary school will provide 105 spaces for four to 11 year olds.

Closed - an illustrative photo of a room taped off inside Parks Primary School in Leicester (Image: Jacob King/PA)

The plans say: "This scheme will result in significant enhancements to the existing school which is in need of redevelopment, helping to provide an enhanced environment for children in the local area.

"It will deliver significant improvements to the layout and functioning of the school by providing new 'fit for purpose' school buildings and enhanced areas of open space."

The existing Stourview Primary Academy was built during the 1970s in a mainly single-storey building.

Classes currently operate from a temporary building on the school grounds.

The existing nursery will be kept and remain operational throughout the construction work.

Tendring Council will rule on the application.

For more information and to have your say, search 26/01105/FUL on the council's planning portal.

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