A decision on proposals to build a new primary school in Oldbury is expected next week.
Sandwell Council’s planning committee will meet on 16 September to consider plans for a £20 million Causeway Green Primary School on the edge of the former Brandhall golf course.
The new school is planned near the corner of Grafton Road and Ferndale Road as part of the large Brandhall Village development, which also includes 190 new homes and a 67-acre public park.
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The application received 19 objections, but planning officers have recommended approval.
In August, parts of the former golf course were twice affected by fires.
The proposal seeks to replace the current Causeway Green Primary School on Penncricket Lane, which is described as “structurally failing,” in “extremely poor condition,” and prone to regular flooding.
Designed to a net zero carbon standard, the school would accommodate 420 pupils and a 26-place nursery, employing 50 full-time and eight part-time staff.
According to the council’s planning statement, the former golf course site is “the optimum solution.” It highlights existing outline consent for school use, recognising the golf course has long ceased operation.
The new premises aim to provide a high-quality learning environment with minimal heating and cooling needs, resulting in reduced energy consumption and operational costs.
Officers describe the building as a “significant improvement and a substantial upgrade” over the existing school, envisioning an educational establishment with a renewed and aspirational identity.
Plans for relocating the school into a new £20 million building were approved by the previous Labour administration in January.
Peter Hughes, then cabinet member for regeneration and infrastructure, said the new school would transform the facility from “one of the poorest schools in the borough” to something akin to “space age.”
The existing school, which is around 70 years old, is considered the worst-maintained within the borough’s estate, with corroding steel frames and failing structural integrity.
The council rejected rebuilding on the current site due to an estimated £5 million additional cost.
While constructing the new school to Passivhaus standards would increase upfront costs by approximately £1 million compared to traditional designs, the council expects long-term savings through reduced running costs.
Sustainability features include enhanced insulation, specialised windows, and ventilation systems aimed at cutting energy demand and the school’s carbon footprint.
Initial plans proposed 550 homes on the former golf course, but following strong public opposition, the scheme was scaled back to 190 homes.
Despite receiving over 200 objections-including from the Brandhall Green Space Action Group formed to oppose development-the planning application for the reduced housing scheme was approved in 2023.