Wigan high school redevelopment given boost

The planned redevelopment of a Wigan high school has received a huge boost after the scheme was given a positive recommendation.Wates Construction is behind the ambitious plans submitted to Wigan Council for St John Fisher Catholic High School on Baytree Road.The proposals seek to redevelop the existing school and demolish existing buildings. A new three-storey teaching building and new sports block would be built in their place.A four-storey temporary teaching block, new sports courts, and reconfiguration of car parking and access, are also proposed.The sports block would include a sports hall, fitness studio, activity studio and changing rooms.It is proposed to keep the school operating during the re-development proposals with the demolition of the older buildings phased to reduce the need for temporary classrooms.However a council report acknowledges that some temporary accommodation will be required while the new buildings are constructed.Parking for 76 spaces is also included.The report said the site was identified as early as 2008, as part of a previous government initiative under the Building Schools for the Future (BSF). However, the funding for the programme was withdrawn.But now planning officers said the Department for Education (DfE) have secured the funding for the re-development of this school site. They said a mix of school and community buildings can now be secured for the “benefit of teachers, pupils and the wider community”. Wigan’s planning committee will discuss the application at a meeting on 12 April.