DREAMS of creating a £14.8 million new home for Dunstable’s All Saints Academy are set to come true.
Planning permission for the state-of-the-art Houghton Road building has been granted by Central Beds Council.
Demolition of the current technology block is expected to begin in March and preparations for construction work will begin soon afterwards.
Academy principal Tom Waterworth said: “We are delighted that the construction of our new academy building has reached this next important phase.”
He went on: “We are really grateful for all the hard work on behalf of the sponsors, architects and the construction company, and we are looking forward to this new and modern building raising aspirations for our students and the local community.”
Lessons will go ahead as usual in existing buildings.
The new building is expected to be completely up and running for students from September next year.
A makeover will be given to the current sports hall and gym, which will be integrated with the new facilities.
The project is 85 per cent new build and 15 per cent revamp.
Julia Creasey, school buildings officer with the Diocese of St Albans, one of the academy’s sponsors, said: “This is a fantastic building with superb facilities, not least in ICT. It will be a flagship new school.”
Professor Les Ebdon, vice-chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, which also sponsors the academy, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with All Saints Academy.
“We have seen the progress made in such a short time and we know that this new building will be a great boost in raising student attainment and aspiration.”
The Department for Education reconfirmed last summer that cash was still available for the project. Willmott Dixon is the contractor for the scheme.
Company spokesman Chris Tredget said in November: “We are committed to investing 50 per cent of the subcontractor spend with local businesses within a 30-mile radius.”The academy was launched in 2009, replacing the former Northfields Technology College.