Millholme in RocesterTHE £22 million JCB Academy in Rocester can now press ahead with plans for a new sixth form centre after the proposals were given the green light.
The proposals involve utilising the JCB-owned Grade II listed Millholme building directly opposite the academy with teaching spaces, IT facilities, meeting rooms and student communal lounges for the school’s sixth formers.
The state-of-the-art JCB Academy in Mill Street was constructed around the also grade II listed Arkwright Mill and the use of Millholme by the school will continue that theme.
A three-storey building, Millholme, was built in 1831 as the home for the manager of the adjacent cotton mill but in recent years has been used by owners JCB as temporary residential accommodation for its employees.
However, the digger giant says that use has run its course and the building is to be transferred to the JCB Academy.
Documents submitted to East Staffordshire Borough Council explained how the building is set to be used by the JCB Academy.
It says: “The buildings proximity to the JCB Academy makes it ideal as an extension to the existing facility as it is within immediate reach of the students and staff and the two buildings will be able to share communal facilities and amenities.
“In total there are to be two large teaching spaces and four smaller teaching spaces as well as an IT resource area, student lounge/games room, staff offices and other ancillary uses.”
Planning officers at the borough council decided to approve the plans subject to numerous conditions being met by the applicants, such as materials and a condition that the teaching space is only used for educational purposes.
