Sandwell Council has given the green light to a £20 million project to build a new Causeway Green Primary School in Oldbury. This state-of-the-art school will be part of the expansive Brandhall Village development, which also includes 190 new homes and a 67-acre public park.
The new 420-pupil, net-zero school is set to rise on the former Brandhall golf course and will replace the current Causeway Green Primary, located on Penncricket Lane. The existing school, over 70 years old, is in a critical state — described as “structurally failing” and one of the poorest-maintained buildings in the borough, frequently suffering from flooding issues.
At the recent council meeting, Cllr Peter Hughes, cabinet member for regeneration and infrastructure, emphasized the transformation: children will move from “one of the poorest schools in the borough” to a “space-age” facility.
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Details from the council highlight that the old school is beyond its economic life due to corrosion in its steel framework, resulting in an unsafe structure that urgently needs replacement.
Cllr Mohammed Jalal Uddin, cabinet member for children and families, called the investment a significant step forward. The new building will follow Passivhaus principles, ensuring it is highly energy-efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with Sandwell’s carbon-neutral goals. He stressed that rebuilding and relocating the school is the most viable option for both the pupils and the community. Discussions are also underway about potential reuse of the existing school building once vacated.
The new school’s location, near the corner of Grafton Road and Ferndale Road, promises a brighter learning environment. Council member for education, Cllr Harnoor Bhullar, highlighted the positive impact the new facility will have on children’s experiences by replacing the current poor conditions.
Construction is scheduled to begin this autumn, with completion targeted for early 2028. Earlier projections from November 2024 anticipated an opening in early 2027, reflecting adjustments in the project timeline.
The council confirmed that building on a new site will be more cost-effective, with estimates showing constructing the school on the current site would add up to an additional £5 million to costs. Although a Passivhaus standard design is projected to cost approximately £1 million more than a traditional build, the energy savings and reduced running costs will offer substantial long-term financial benefits.
Green features incorporated into the design include advanced insulation, quality windows, and ventilation systems to minimize energy consumption and significantly reduce the school’s carbon footprint.
Originally, the council proposed developing 550 homes on the golf course site but scaled back to 190 following community opposition. Despite over 200 objections from groups such as the Brandhall Green Space Action Group, the planning application for the reduced housing development was approved in 2023.
This ambitious project marks a major investment in the future of Oldbury’s education and environment, offering pupils a modern, sustainable space to learn and grow.