Why is the school being redeveloped?

Why is the school being redeveloped?

In 2020, the Government announced a 10-year school rebuilding programme to upgrade school buildings across England. 

Lincoln Castle Academy has been identified and selected as part of the Department for Education’s (DfE) School Rebuilding Programme and has commissioned replacement under a construction Framework to deliver new, improved teaching facilities and environment for the students and staff.

It is anticipated a planning application for the school redevelopment proposal will be made to Lincoln City Council following public consultation in December 2025.

  • The existing outdated utilities infrastructure will be replaced to create a Net Zero Carbon in Operation teaching block and sports hall using Modern Methods of Construction techniques.  Low and zero carbon technologies proposed include: 

    • Ground-source heat pumps.

    • Solar photovoltaic panels.

  • The teaching block has been designed to provide space across ground, first and second floors. It is proposed as a simple linear arrangement with a central dining heart space. The  main hall and drama studio offer an enhanced performance venue. The layout will allow curriculum clusters for example, Art, DT & Music clustered at Level 00.

    The sports hall will provide facilities for the Academy's use. It will have a 4 court sports hall,  activity studio and changing facilities. 

  • The site shares vehicular and pedestrian access with Yarbrough Leisure Centre via Riseholme Road and this is not intended to change.  A bus pull-in lane directly in front of the new school entrance, but off the existing access road can be provided. 

    Existing pedestrian routes from the west and north will be maintained after the construction. 

    In addition to the existing car parking adjacent to the school south of Riseholme Road and those serving  Yarborough Leisure Centre, spaces will be included at the entrance and service area. These will be for visitors, staff, and include accessible spaces and an electric vehicle charging point.

    Elsewhere around 45 secure cycle parking spaces will be provided. 

  • Service and delivery access and yard will be via the existing route off Riseholme Road leading to the north of the teaching block. The bin compound is  proposed here as well. 

  • The existing recently re-opened Yarborough Leisure Centre, which is for use by the community,  is not part of these proposals and will remain unaffected. 

    A new 3 court Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) for the school will provide space for: 

    • Tennis

    • Hockey

    • Netball, and 

    • Football

    The existing All Weather Pitch (AWP) will be retained. 

    The playing field to the north of the all weather pitches will be required for the temporary classrooms during demolition and construction phases.  The pitch would be reinstated to its existing condition once the temporary classrooms are removed.

  • The proposed development has sought to avoid the loss of trees where possible. The design and layout of the new teaching block is such that the existing trees next to the existing school buildings cannot be kept. 

    Approximately 57 new trees are to be provided and other natural planting. A full hard & soft landscaping and BNG pack will accompany the planning application and will identify the proposed new planting in greater detail.  

    A masterplan will be developed to show how the development will deliver Urban Green Factors (UGF) in accordance with DfE specification for this project. The scheme will identify where UGF surface types will be provided. For example, semi-natural vegetation, rain gardens, trees, green roofs and amenity grasslands.