ENGIE’s plans for the redevelopment of the former Rugeley Power Station in Staffordshire, have been given a major boost
The Rugeley Power Station plans have been awarded funding through the Department for Education’s (DfE) free school programme for a brand-new all-through school.
The funding was granted through wave 14 of the DfE programme after a JTMAT application demonstrated the significant benefits the investment would bring to Rugeley.
ENGIE announced plans in late 2018 to transform the coal-fired Power Station site, which is owned, into a sustainable, mixed-use development of 2,300 new low carbon homes; and up to 12.36-acres of employment space, which received outline planning approval earlier last year.
Low carbon all through school
ENGIE later submitted an amendment to the application to potentially include a low carbon all through school within the development and this was granted in July 2020 by the local planning authorities.
The school, which will welcome children from the Rugeley and Lichfield local districts, as well as the future residents on the Rugeley Power Station site, will be entirely sustainable in design and net-zero carbon in operation.
Everything will be electric and renewable energy will play a key role in reducing carbon emissions.
Paving the way for the education sector
Mark Dolling, director – education & public sector capital programmes at ENGIE UK & Ireland, said: “ENGIE is delighted to be working with JTMAT and other stakeholders in leading the design and delivery of this new school.
“This is an extremely exciting project for all involved – we are not only providing a new, highly sustainable school that will sit at the heart of a new low carbon community; but we are paving the way for the education sector more broadly.
“Schools can play an integral part in leading the transition to zero carbon and this new school, alongside the wider development, will offer a sustainable place for people to live, work and learn.
“We passionately believe the scheme will act as an exemplar in placemaking.”
JTMAT CEO, Mike Donoghue, added: “We are naturally excited and extremely proud to have been given the responsibility to lead the new school at Rugeley.
“Now the work begins in earnest to fulfil our vision to create the best school we possibly can. The application was very much a team effort, and so will be our work to deliver the school to the community.
“We look forward to working alongside our partner organisations to make all this happen.”
The educational facilities are due to open in September 2023 and will eventually accommodate 1,400 pupils, plus a nursery.
