Trinity School in Heathway, Dagenham plans to redevelop building

A new planning application was submitted on June 2 by Renew Planning Limited on behalf of Auburn Group Limited for a major development at Trinity School in Heathway.

Planning permission was granted in February this year for the demolition of The Heathway Centre building and three adjoining buildings, and the construction of a replacement specialist living and learning centre and staff training centre.

The new application has proposed to bring forward the development in two separate phases.

The living and learning centre might look like this (Image: Six Foot Studio) A planning document explains the development was intended originally as a single-phase operation, therefore works began in late February after plans were approved.

But the overall delivery cost exceeded the council’s current capital budget allowance. 

The position was “further compounded by the additional and unexpected costs” incurred from archaeological excavation works that were undertaken on the site.

According to the document, the need for these works only emerged after the original planning permission had been granted and the required below-ground site investigations had been completed.

How the new staff training centre could look (Image: Six Foot Studio) Therefore permission has been requested for a first phase development including the living and learning centre, a retained and part-extended staff training centre, the formation of a drop-off and pick-up facility and associated car parking to replace The Heathway Centre being bulldozed. 

According to Trinity headteacher Jo Long, the school acquired The Heathway Centre a few years ago but deemed it “not fit for purpose in the way they wanted to use it”.

She said: “We have been using it (The Heathway Centre) but we now have better facilities being developed.

“No children are leaving us but they are getting upgraded, top of the range facilities.

“The new building is a living and learning centre which will help children with the most complex needs with personalised learning rooms.”

How the living and learning centre might look (Image: Six Foot Studio) Ms Long said the new centre will remain open longer than term times to provide specialist support and facilities for children and families outside of school time.

“It will keep children whose needs are significant in local provision and close to their families,” she said.

As well the new education centre, the school would receive wholesale changes to its pick-up and drop-off areas, including an “internal road” running through the school.

“We have lots of issues with parking…so it gets very busy.

“When this building is removed and the project is finished we’ll have an internal road that will reduce congestion on the Heathway.

“This is about ensuring the most vulnerable and the most in need have access to specialist support and facilities.”

The second phase development would consist of the remainder of the approved scheme.