There are plans to expand a high school – including the building of a new block – to accommodate an additional 300 students.
Suffolk County Council (SCC) is consulting on proposals to increase capacity at Stowmarket High School from 900 to 1,200 student places.
The plans include a new teaching block to the west of the main building in Onehouse Road and some work to existing rooms within the main building and former sixth form building.
A view of the proposed new standalone block. Picture: Concertus/Suffolk County CouncilThe plans: a south-west view of the site. Picture: Concertus/Suffolk County Council
The work is being delivered by Concertus Design & Property for SCC and it is hoped the new classrooms will be ready to use from September 2026.
Parents and residents are invited to view the plans and comment on them. This non-statutory pre-application planning consultation has opened today and will close on Monday, January 27.
Andrew Reid, cabinet member for education and SEND at SCC, said: “This is an exciting time for the school as the additional space will make a real difference to students and staff, plus those moving into neighbouring communities.
A site plan showing the existing building and proposed building. Picture: Concertus/Suffolk County Council
“It is important that we gather the views of parents and local residents before we submit the planning application, so they can inform our plans if needed.”
A drop-in session will be held at the school on Monday, January 20, where plans will be displayed and representatives from SCC, Concertus and the school will be available to discuss the proposal and answer questions.
The drop-in session will run from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
If you do not have access to the internet, draft plans will also be displayed on the boundary fence of the school in both Onehouse Road and Gainsborough Road.
You can comment online at www.suffolk.gov.uk/consultations or via email to schools@suffolk.gov.uk. You can request a paper form by emailing schools@suffolk.gov.uk
SuffolkNews reported on Stowmarket High School’s new £17 million building in 2020.