Planning approval for Severalls Primary School

KSS are delighted to announce that we have received planning approval to build a new primary school next to Severalls Hospital in north Colchester.

The site is situated immediately to the east of the existing Severalls Hospital and is constrained to the east by the new Northern Approach road linking north Colchester to junction 28 of the A12.

The existing hospital buildings are shrouded by tree cover which minimises reference to any existing built form and context. KSS have taken the opportunity to develop a contemporary design whilst carefully considering the approach from the south which is visually the most exposed part of the site.

With all schools the fundamental consideration revolves around point of arrival for staff, visitors and pupils. This essentially pins the building down and informs how the building presents itself externally. The pallet of materials and massing directly reflect the basic function of the spaces within the school. Timber cladding denotes assembly spaces, white render denotes teaching spaces and bright coloured rendered incisions and massing highlight principal points of entry. Coloured render is extended to the soffit of the cantilevered eaves to unify the design composition.

The new school will cater for the increasing demand for school places amongst local residents with a total of 1,500 homes planned on the old hospital site. Skanska are planning to commence work on the two-storey school in May 2015 with the school expected to open in June 2016 ahead of the new academic term.