THE design for a long-awaited new £10-million school for Peterchurch has finally been revealed, two-and-a-half years after funding for it was agreed.

Rebuilding Peterchurch Primary School in the Golden Valley is intended to overcome many shortcomings with the existing ‘piecemeal’ building, according to a planning application (number 250532) submitted by construction firm Tilbury Douglas.

“The existing school is formed of lots of small rooms that are not fit for their purpose,” a statement with the application says.

“Its offices and toilets are “oversized”, while teaching areas “are significantly undersized. This has resulted in insufficient circulation spaces around desks, and storage within the classes is cluttered and inaccessible,” it explains.

The building also has significant issues with leaks, asbestos, poor daylight, insulation and outdated heating systems.

The firm’s plan is to site the new school away from the current one, however, the school’s existing swimming pool will be kept, as will the current vehicle entrance and exit and pedestrian access.

There is to be a new multi-use games area immediately to the rear of the new school building, and a new grass football pitch on existing playing fields.

The single-storey, largely square new building will have classrooms around the perimeter to benefit from natural light, while within, the library and other areas will be naturally lit from above.

The main hall will be taller and finished in a cream-coloured render to contrast with the red brick of the rest of the building, while the flat roof will host solar panels.

Slightly larger than the existing building, it will allow for a more than doubling of pupil numbers from 105 to 210, equating to 30 pupils per school year in seven classrooms, along with a 26-place nursery.

Staff numbers will also rise. The local authority agreed in October 2022 to spend over £10 million on the project.