Benton Park Secures Planning Permission for State of the Art New School

The three-storey design includes a sheltered courtyard and will be built on the existing playing fields while the school remains fully operational throughout. Once the school transfers into their new building, the existing buildings will be demolished to make way for a full size 3G pitch which will be available for community use. The school anticipates opening in the autumn term, 2021.

John Scahill, BAM Construction’s Pre-Construction Manager, said:

‘Benton Park will be a 1500-place secondary school on the school’s existing site. Together with our architect partners at Bond Bryan, we’ve been helping to develop the design and obtain this new secured planning approval. Our construction arm will be supplemented by BAM Design delivering structural and MEP design and MEP installation is via BAM’s integrated Services Engineering business. This school has particular meaning for many of our team whose families have attended or are learning there now, and will experience the new build. We will bring our market-leading expertise and experience to it and as always, drive an agenda to help deliver local benefits for those around the school to make the most of the opportunity it offers.’

Kevin Barry, General Manager of Leeds LEP Ltd, added: ‘Over recent months the new development at Benton Park School has been gaining momentum. It is fantastic news, that through the planning process, the hard work invested by all parties in designing, what I am sure will be an excellent educational and community centric facility, has been validated. I very much now, look forward to working with colleagues, to help turn the plans into reality. I always find it exciting watching a new building rising up out of the ground so to speak and hope that, as other pass the site, they will also join in the celebration of this new opportunity for the whole community.’

Delia Martin, Headteacher of Benton Park School, said: ‘Staff and Governors cannot express enough, the relief and excitement we all feel that our students will finally be able to experience the high quality learning we provide, within an excellent physical educational environment.  The plans which all parties have worked tirelessly on, look fantastic and it really will be a fabulous environment in which to work and learn. One of the things we are also looking forward to is our school being able to operate as a real hub at the heart of the community in which we work.  This is something we have not been able to fully achieve with our current premises due to their condition and so we look forward to being able to work with community groups to offer an exciting range of facilities within our local community.’

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for learning, skills and employment said: ‘We are delighted that the planning application for a new school building for Benton Park has been approved. The new build will provide enhanced facilities for students and teaching staff, and a much better environment to support the great learning and education that already takes place at Benton Park School.  It will also create additional space, which will help address the growing need for secondary school places in that area of the city.’

Further information: Mark Slattery, Press and Media Manager, BAM Construct UK Ltd, 01442 238415.