THE rebuild of a Bradford secondary school will begin next month after a major planning application was approved.

Plans for the works to Trinity Academy Bradford, based in Queensbury, were first submitted earlier this year and will see two blocks of the current school knocked down and replaced with modern, net zero buildings.

The third block will be given a full refurbishment, and there will be an increase in the amount of playing pitches on the site, as well as the creation of a new multi-use games area (MUGA).

The plans were submitted by the Department for Education.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Trinity Academy Bradford Trinity Academy Bradford

The school, on Deanstones Lane, was previously known as Queensbury Academy but changed its name when it became part of the Trinity Multi Academy Trust in 2021.

It currently has around 1,050 pupils on its roll.

Eleven people had written to the council to object to the plans, saying the work could impact highway safety and reduce the value of their homes.

Two people wrote in support of the plans, saying the existing buildings were in poor condition.

Approving the scheme, planning officers said the current buildings were “in a poor condition and no longer fit for purpose". 

They added: “The proposal is considered to result in significant benefits for the school and in turn the local community.”

Referring to concerns about traffic, officers pointed out that pupil levels would remain the same, adding: “Traffic generation and parking demand is anticipated to remain, at worst, at current levels.”

They also acknowledged that the development would include many more cycle parking spaces than were currently provided and this would help reduce car journeys to and from the school.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An artists' impression of the refurbishment An artists' impression of the refurbishment (Image: Department for Education)

Conditions of the approval include the school providing details of how the sports facilities will be made available for community use outside of school hours.

Another condition limits construction work to between 7.30am and 6pm on Mondays to Fridays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

The school was recently awarded a 'good' rating from Ofsted.

Referring to the rebuild plans while commenting on the rating, headteacher Tom Taylor told the Telegraph & Argus: "We are now focussed on improving the school further, and in particular, the educational infrastructure of the academy with the construction of our new build which starts in June 2024.

"These are exciting times for all involved with Trinity Academy Bradford and we look forward to celebrating our recent successes and continuing our transformational journey.”