Plans approved for £14m Telford secondary school
Work on a new £14 million secondary school in Telford is expected to begin in the new year after the plans won backing.
The new Ercall Wood Technology College will replace the current school building in Wellington, and will be the first school to be completely rebuilt in the second phase of Telford & Wrekin Council's Building Schools for the Future programme.
Full planning permission was granted for the 900-place school by the council's plans board members last night.
At the meeting, Councillor Shirley Reynolds said: "I think the sooner we can get this up and running the better. This is going to be an excellent facility for the community."
The school will be totally rebuilt on the current site, with new sports facilities, community space and tennis courts, as well as improved classrooms and areas for more specialist subjects.
After the meeting, college headteacher Chay Davis said: "This represents the culmination of four years worth of hard work. To gain the go-ahead before Christmas is the best gift that we could receive. We are very excited about the year ahead and look forward to seeing architect's drawings come to life on site.
"While we know that it is the pupils, staff and governors that make Ercall Wood exceptional, the chance to match a building to our aspirations is amazing."
Outline planning consent was granted in June and contractor Shepherd Construction Ltd will now sign a design and build contract with Telford & Wrekin Council.
Work will start early in the new year and the council hopes the new school could be open by 2014. Councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: "It's fantastic news."
