Money for Weald School to pay for building works
The canteen has been part-used as a basic dance studio.
A West Sussex school is to receive up to £2.6m from the county council to pay for demolition and building work.
The Weald School, in Billingshurst, plans to demolish its under-used canteen and replace it with an activity studio and ICT suite, along with re-purposed rooms and ancillary spaces.
The money – to be taken from Section 106 funds – was approved on Tuesday (June 16), by Andrew Edwards, the council’s service director of property & assets. Such funds are paid to the council by developers who have been allowed to build in the area and allocated to specific areas, such as education, roads, and affordable housing.
A report to Mr Edwards said: “The school have indicated that remodelling the currently under-used canteen and surrounding area by delivering a fully fitted out activity studio that can be used for a variety of activities, along with providing an additional IT suite, is their highest priority.
“The school consider this would have the biggest impact for the entirety of the pupils, including the sixth form.”
Councillors have until June 25 to call-in the decision for further discussion, should they have any concerns.
But if all goes as planned, the new two-storey building will include an activity studio, two dark rooms, changing rooms, an ICT classroom, lavatories, offices and a group room.