Views sought for school's demolition plans

Plans are being drawn that would see St Aidan's Catholic Academy existing buildings demolished

A Catholic secondary school could be knocked down to build a new three-storey campus.

The Department for Education is planning to redevelop St Aidan's Catholic Academy on Willow Bank Road, Sunderland.

The new school would consist of two buildings connected at the first and second floor levels.

Consultancy firm DPP has begun a public consultation on the initial designs, which will conclude before a full planning application is submitted.

The first of the new buildings would contain a main teaching block made up of classrooms, an assembly hall and a dining hall, while the second would be a sports and sixth form building.

"Temporary accommodation" is also expected to be built for use during the demolition and construction work.

The plans have been drawn up by Bowmer + Kirkland and state the school entrances would remain on Tunstall Road and Willow Bank Road.

Have your say

Planning consultancy firm DPP said: "We welcome all views and these will be taken into consideration by the project team before finalising the proposals for the planning application.

"Once the application has been submitted, there will also be an opportunity to comment as part of the application determination process."

The planning application is expected to be submitted later this year.

Bowmer + Kilmer is holding a consultation event at St Aidan's on 3 June from 15:00 BST to 19:00 to answer questions from the public.

Comments on the plans can be sent to DPP before the deadline of 17:00 BST on 7 June.