Plans to replace 1960s-built school approved

A deteriorating Nottinghamshire school building is to be replaced with a new £10m facility.

Broomhill Junior School in Hucknall was built in 1966 and head teacher Andrew Beckinsale-Yates said it was "starting to show its age".

But a bid to demolish the building and construct a new two-storey school has now been approved by Ashfield District Council.

Mr Beckinsale-Yates said: "It's been a long time coming, but it is a very exciting time in the life of Broomhill."

The school's "urgent" need for work was identified in 2022 as part of the Department for Education's school rebuilding programme.

Ground works are planned to begin in February, with the construction work then set to take about 18 months.

The existing building, which caters for 272 pupils aged seven to 11, will then be demolished.

According to the plans submitted by construction firm Tilbury Douglas, the new two-storey school will have more play space and outdoor teaching areas.

A dedicated special educational needs (SEN) corridor will also be provided on the ground floor, with the number of SEN pupils set to rise from 58 to 70.

Mr Beckinsale-Yates said: "The building's had its time and is ready for a phase two.

"It's been about three years and a lot of meetings have taken place.

"I will be so relieved when we see the first digger on site, then I'll know it's real."

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