Plans for Chilmington Green Secondary School approved

Members of Ashford Borough Council’s Planning Committee last week granted a resolution to approve the planning application for Chilmington Green Secondary School, part of the United Learning group of schools.

Jon Rutland, Principal Designate, Chilmington Green Secondary School said, “The brand new, purpose built Chilmington Green Secondary School will be aspirational, inclusive, and sustainable – an inspirational learning environment for local students to thrive and prepare for their futures. It will be a school which sets high academic standards whilst nurturing and supporting students to be the very best they can be. Chilmington Green School presents a fantastic opportunity for the local community to share the new facilities and our team look forward to working with Chilmington Green Primary School and the wider community.”

Bowmer + Kirkland (B+K) is the main contractor for the school and will manage all aspects of the project to ensure the works are carried out safely and with the least possible disruption to the neighbouring community through the employment of offsite manufacturing processes. Speaking after the Planning Committee, Ben Coady (Design Manager) said, “The B+K team is delighted with the decision and is looking forward to getting started on site.”

Commenting on the sustainable construction approach, Ben added “B+K will use a ‘Fabric First Principle’ which ensures the fabric, heating, ventilation, water and lighting systems are designed to be energy efficient. The use of materials and technology create an energy efficient, low acoustic environment that takes advantage of natural light and the adoption of the ’labyrinth’ system which maximises natural ventilation and cooling to large hall spaces during warmer periods.”

Karl Allcoat, Department for Education (DfE) Project Manager stated “We are proud to be moving forward with this sustainable investment for the children of the Chilmington area. The school will achieve Net Zero Carbon in operation and will be rated BREEAM excellent. This has been achieved through the innovative and hard work of the project team, resulting in a sustainable and biodiversity led approach to construction.”

A key milestone

Cllr Neil Bell, portfolio holder for planning at Ashford Borough Council, said: “We welcome this key milestone in the journey of creating a new, thriving community at Chilmington Green. The school has been designed to stand the test of time primarily as a great place to learn but also to serve as a valuable community asset for the benefit of local residents.

“To get the secondary school delivered so early on in the emergence of Chilmington and the wider SAGC is a great achievement and means the place will have a stronger identity and enable a stronger sense of community. It also makes the development an even more attractive area as a place to live alongside the primary school already there and further infrastructure planned to be delivered alongside the new homes.”

B+K will manage all aspects of the project and will distribute newsletter updates to near neighbours of site during the construction period.

Further information on the opening of the school can be found on the Chilmington Secondary school website.