Radcliffe leisure centre set for demolition

Proposals would clear the site off Spring Lane to make way for a 12,700 sq ft temporary school and ensure a seamless transition for the construction of Star Academies’ long-awaited facility.

Morgan Sindall Construction has lodged plans to demolish the 26,500 sq ft leisure centre and the 18,900 sq ft Spring Lane School pupil referral unit on site to be replaced by the temporary school.

The town’s leisure centre will be relocated to the future £40m civic hub in Radcliffe town centre, while the pupil referral unit will move to Spurr House off Pole Lane in Unsworth.

Designed by AHR Architects, the scheme forms the first stage of plans for Star Radcliffe Academy and would create a 150-place temporary facility to be used during the construction of the permanent building on the same site.

Plans for the temporary academy include a 1,200 sq ft dining hall, a 925 sq ft laboratory, and four general classrooms across two floors.

Proposals form part of Radcliffe’s wider town centre regeneration and approval would welcome a school to the town, almost 10 years after the closure of Riverside High School.

Star Academies, in partnership with the Department for Education, launched a consultation on its designs for the 750-place Star Radcliffe Academy last week. The consultation can be viewed at consultations.tetratecheurope.com and will run until 29 August.

The permanent school building will be subject to a separate planning application.

The project team includes Tetra Tech, Ares Landscape Architects, Amenity Tree, and Via Solutions.

To learn more about the plans for the temporary facility, search for application number 70002 on Bury Council’s planning portal.