SPACE Architects are delighted to announce the submission of plans for a new multi-million-pound school in Hyde, Greater Manchester.

Belle Vue Academy is the latest in a long list of schools that have been designed by SPACE since our first public sector secondary education project working on Blyth Community College almost twenty years ago. In that time, we have delivered eight schools for Gateshead Council, ten for Dumfries and Galloway Council in Scotland, five schools on the Isle of Wight and facilities in Sunderland, Knowsley and Hull, amongst others.

Planning permission was submitted for Belle Vue Academy in January earlier this year and the secondary school will accommodate 1,200 students and up to 70 staff with work expected to commence on the site in the summer, offering 8,610sqm of space over three floors. It will provide over 57 teaching and community spaces including an auditorium, dining areas and a sports hall, ensuring it is in line with the Department for Education’s baseline designs.

The school is sponsored by Co-op and becomes a part of their 'Academies Trust' which already operates 26 schools and colleges across the north of England.

Working alongside Sir Robert McAlpine, an ambitious timeline was set to complete the project as it took just two months to go from the first client engagement meeting through to planning submission.

Paul Broadfoot, Director at SPACE Architects, said:“From the first client meeting in early November to full planning being submitted in January, was a remarkable achievement. It is a testament to the efforts of Sir Robert McAlpine and the design team, Manchester City Council and school sponsor Co-op. The collective drive of all the stakeholders was evident in every meeting which pushed the envelope on creating an excellent educational facility that is not only a stunning design but also suits the specific teaching pedagogy of Co-op Academies.”

“Our work at a national level underlines the fact that from here in the region, we continue to make a positive contribution, both economically through job creation and retention, as well as flying the flag for North East creativity. With the current government pledging to ‘build, build, build’ over the coming years, there is plenty of opportunities to continue to deliver exceptional buildings that make a real difference to local communities.”