Go-ahead sought to bulldoze school

The first phase of massive plans to bulldoze and rebuild seven schools in Telford was under way today after developers submitted plans to demolish the Abraham Darby Academy.

The scheme to transform the school in Ironbridge Road, Madeley, includes a new 1,050 place academy and a 420-place primary school. It will also include a leisure centre, swimming pool and a new fitness suite.

The rebuild plans have already been submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council.

As part of the major overhaul, developer Kier Group has now submitted plans for permission to flatten the current Abraham Darby building - once the new site is up and running.

This comes despite objections from hundreds of people who said they were dismayed at the loss of an "iconic" building.

During public consultation earlier this year, 203 residents signed a protest petition and said bulldozing the building will have "serious negative implications for the local community".

They also feared a loss of privacy and natural sunlight, additional noise and pollution during construction, extra traffic and loss of playing fields and wildlife, on top of losing the school building. At the time, planning officers said the new school and facilities would "significantly enhance" the area, outweighing any disadvantages.

There will now be a period of public consultation and the application is expected to go before planners in the new year.

Abraham Darby is due to be the first of seven schools to be flattened and rebuilt by Telford & Wrekin Council. If planning permission is granted, construction is due to start at the Abraham Darby in March, 2011.

Woodlands Primary School and Madeley Swimming Pool will also be located at the new academy.

The next schools to be rebuilt will be the Lord Silkin in Stirchley and Phoenix School in Dawley.