Planning submitted for new primary school and infrastructure works at Kingsgrove

St. Modwen, the developer leading the 227-acre Kingsgrove scheme, has submitted a reserved matters planning application to Vale of White Horse District Council for a new 2-form-entry primary school on the site in Wantage.

St. Modwen has been working closely with Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) on the design following consultation on the new school in May 2018 and a public exhibiton in September 2018. Set in 2.2 hectares the contemporary building features glass, timber, red brick and pitched roofs. The proposal also includes playing fields, sports pitches, a playground, a multi-use games area (MUGA) and car parking.

Subject to planning permission being granted, St. Modwen hopes to start building the primary school in summer 2019, with completion and handover to OCC for fit out summer 2020 and the school opening September 2020, as one of the key community benefits that St. Modwen is delivering as part of its development.

St. Modwen has also submitted an application for advanced infrastructure works (AIW4), which seeks consent for the vast majority of the remaining roads on the eastern side of the site, a car park for the sports pavilion that will be used as drop-off by the primary school; the public square in front of the community centre and the open space associated with the woodland to the south east of the new neighbourhood centre.

Rob Draper, Development Director at St. Modwen, said: “The design and plans for the primary school that we have submitted will create a light, flexible space that is ideal for modern learning and  will serve future generations. The carefully considered layout also means the building can be zoned to allow extended use of the school during evenings and weekends by a variety of users. We are also delighted to be delivering the school in advance of the anticipated planning obligation, so that it can be ready for pupils starting September 2020.”

The 227-acre site at Kingsgrove was granted outline planning permission in July 2015 by the Vale of the White Horse Council District Council for up to 1,500 homes, a new primary school, a neighbourhood centre including a community hall, pub/restaurant and local retail accommodation, sports pitches, employment space and community amenities set around a central park.

The architect is Gloucester based Roberts Limbrick.

For further information and to view the applications please visit www.kingsgrovewantage.co.uk