Work is underway on the site of the old Grange School in Warmley to enable new homes, a new primary school and improved walking and cycling infrastructure to connect the new developments to the wider community.
The site is already home to the Digitech School and on the southern part of the land, we have identified the location for a new two-form entry primary school, which will ultimately accommodate 420 children. We are aiming for construction to begin on site in 2023 and for the first pupils to be able to start lessons in September 2024.
Central to the redevelopment will be new homes, to help meet the need for quality houses for local people and the next generation of this growing community, including through the delivery of affordable homes.
Up to 200 new homes could be delivered here, with studies now underway to understand the best way to achieve that, including how to make space for self-build homes for which there is a growing demand in South Gloucestershire. As plans come forward and planning permission is sought the community will have the opportunity to have their say on proposals, but we are already engaged with local people, which has helped shape our vision for the site and how it links to the wider Warmley area. We anticipate that, subject to the formal planning process people will be able to move into new homes here in 2025.
The vision for this new community is for it to be socially inclusive, connected to the wider area and have a range of recreational opportunities, including retaining some sports provision as well as open spaces for the benefit of the people of Warmley.
£2.02 million funding has been allocated via the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) from the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund, which alongside money already committed by Homes England, means that not only can we take these exciting plans forward, we can ensure the new homes, school and open spaces are connected to the wider Warmley community, for example by upgrading this bridge for pedestrians and cyclists to be able to travel locally without needing to get in the car.
In order for these plans to be delivered, we firstly need to make the site ready, which is why we are currently clearing the old school buildings.
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure, Councillor Steve Reade, said: “We have long held the ambition to redevelop this brownfield site and I am delighted that the preparatory work in now underway that will help us deliver new homes, a new school and other community benefits.
“The Government’s investment, through the Brownfield Land Release Fund and Homes England, is helping us to bring this project forward and we look forward to developing the detailed plans and to sharing them with the community.”
