BSF programme construction work to start

WORK is due to begin within the next month on the latest stage of the £270m Building Schools for the Future programme in Wolverhampton.

This phase will see the construction of a new £26.3m building for the South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy, due to open in September 2012, and the refurbishment of Coppice Performing Arts School, costing around £17.5m.

In addition, Wednesfield High School and the Braybrook Centre will undergo £14.6m and £1.5m refurbishments respectively, to be completed by February 2013.

Planning approval has been granted for all four developments with work on South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy due to begin before the end of March.

The news follows the announcement from central Government that it had approved Wolverhampton City Council’s final business case for this phase of the programme.

Wolverhampton-based global support services company Carillion is spearheading the BSF programme in the Black Country city.

The new South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy will have four ‘skill zones’ dedicated to different subjects while Wednesfield High School will see a new science, technology, engineering and maths block.

Coppice Performing Arts School will get a state-of-the-art theatre and performance space and the Braybrook Centre will have a new sports hall and additional green space, also available for community use.

This phase is one of five stages of the overall BSF programme which will see the complete rebuild or refurbishment of 25 schools, including two new academies.

Fancy writing a sponsored column debating the latest issues affecting the property market? Click through for more details.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close