PLANS for the new Castlebrook High School — which could cost £3 million to £5 million — came a step closer on Tuesday.

The application to build a new school was unanimously approved by Bury Council’s planning committee, despite the new site being on greenbelt land.

Chairman of the Academy Council, Ray Boucher, said: “We wanted to provided a 21st century standard for learners because of our relationship with the Shaw Education Trust.”

Speaking at the meeting, Ann Hargreaves, planning consultant for contractor Galliford Try, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the learning environment.”

Ms Hargreaves told the committee the current school, built in the 1970s, is unfit for purpose in a number of ways, needing rewiring, having single glazing and inadequate ventilation and heating.

Repairs and upgrades are unable to be carried out due to asbestos in the school.

As part of the plan, a new modern, three-storey school with all-weather pitches would be created and parts of the existing school would then be demolished. The sports hall would be retained.

Mr Boucher said: “The new school will provide a safe, fresh, clean, interesting and vibrant atmosphere to upgrade the quality and standard of education.

“And because it’s a new build it gives us the opportunity to allow each learner to excel, be inspired and be challenged.”

The application has come about as part of the Government’s Priority School Building Programme, which is funding the rebuilding or refurbishing those schools identified in the worst conditions in the country. In January, Castlebrook became the first high school in the borough to be forced by the Government to become a become an academy after it was labelled inadequate by Ofsted inspectors.

The Shaw Education Trust took over management of the school, which educates 800 pupils.

Plans for the new building, which will be constructed by contractors Galliford Try, have been welcomed by the trust.

Mr Boucher said the costs are expected to be in the region of £3-5 million and while there is no set timeframe, it is hoped work will start early next year and pupils will be able to move in in September 2018.

Despite the new school’s modern design, which would not normally be classed as in keeping for a greenbelt site, it is thought to be ‘appropriate’ in this case.

The council officers report says: “It is judged that the design is appropriate for an educational building, is justified in that the building is to be a state-of-the-art modern replacement for the existing school and a focal point for the community, and finally because it is in keeping with its urban-edge setting as the high quality palette of materials chosen such as the blue/grey brick are not intrusive and will blend in well with existing development adjacent the site.”

The Very Special Circumstances, which are required to admit building on greenbelt land and council officers are satisfied these have been met.

No objections have been raised to the application.

The secretary of state will be notified of the plan and given 21 days to call in the decision. Permission can be granted once this period has passed.