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First glimpse of new Liverpool school regeneration project

Liverpool City Council has revealed the first images showing how the new £16 million Archbishop Blanch High School may look.

The school is set to be the centrepiece of the overall regeneration of Wavertree.

Consultation is underway on plans to move the school from its cramped buildings on Mount Vernon Road near the city centre to a new purpose-built site on Earle Road, off Smithdown Road in Picton.

The site has been earmarked because of its close proximity to the existing school and it offers transport links. It will educate 900 girls aged 11-16 and have a mixed sixth form.

Archbishop Blanch is one of at least 12 schools being rebuilt under the Mayor’s Investment Plan for Schools – devised as a rescue package following the scrapping of Wave Six of Liverpool’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project.

Mayor Joe Anderson said: “The new Archbishop Blanch High School is a really exciting scheme which will be a catalyst for strengthening the local community and supporting local businesses. It will make a huge difference to Picton and underpin the improvements that are being made.

“The pupils and staff desperately need a new building to replace their existing facilities, which are in need of major investment and updating.

“This is part of my vision to make sure all pupils are taught in top quality buildings and get the best education.”

The area is going through significant transition to bring forward high quality housing which will complement the new school.

Plans are in the pipeline for investment in new houses to the north of the site by developers Bellway, while new and/or refurbished properties will also be delivered through one of the council’s housing partners to the east of the site at Tunstall Road and Garrick Street.

Neighbouring Lodge Lane continues to benefit from commercial and residential investment interest and the area is also home to the modern Picton Medical and Children’s Centre on Earle Road.

The new complex will include on-site sports fields so the school can, for the first time, have its own pitches to deliver outdoor activities for pupils.

Headteacher Jane Griffiths said: “We are delighted at the pace with which this exciting scheme is coming together. The vision for the area where the school

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .