Planning granted for New Lubbesthorpe Primary School Expansion

Planning permission has been secured to expand New Lubbesthorpe Primary School from 2FE to 3FE, increasing its capacity to 630 pupils. GSSArchitecture is the Architect, Lead Consultant, and Principal Designer CDM and BR for the expansion work and led the design of the original school, completed in 2019.

New Lubbesthorpe Primary School sits at the heart of a large new residential development, situated between Leicester Forest East and Enderby. The development is the initiative of The Drummond Estate and particularly of Fred Drummond. The family, who still live locally, have owned and farmed the land for over 150 years. The school, which is part of the OWLS Academy Trust, is a key building within the new community and this project will enable the Trust to meet the need for more primary school places as a result of the planned expansion of the development.

The design team have worked closely with the stakeholders to ensure that expansion work enhances the school and conserves the quality of the local area. A new single storey extension will provide 9 new classrooms for years 4 – 6, with break out learning and groups rooms. This will be located to the rear of the existing school minimising the impact on the streetscape. External areas will be expanded to the rear of the school providing a diverse range of outdoor play, sports and learning space and additional staff car parking.

Anna McTaggart, partner at GSSArchitecture’s Kettering Head Office, has expressed, “It’s great to return to New Lubbesthorpe Primary School and see how the school and community have developed. We are proud to continue working on the school which plays such a key role in supporting the local community. It has been a pleasure to work with the Client and project team again developing the design with the Trust who have been so enthusiastic and collaborative. We are excited to begin construction later this year.”

GSSArchitecture have worked closely with The Drummond Estate, project director Mather Jamie, Bentley Project Management (who are both Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor), together with supply chain design partners CPWP (MEP Consultant), Rodgers Leask (Civil and Structural Engineers), FPCR Environment and Design Ltd (Landscape Architect), Marrons (Planning Consultant), and Go Travel Solutions (Transport Consultant).

GSSArchitecture has built up an impressive portfolio of projects within the education sector on a national level and are currently delivering primary, secondary and independent school projects across the country.

To find out more about GSSArchitecture and their portfolio of projects in a variety of sectors, please visit www.gssarchitecture.com