A major £14m expansion project at Sarum Academy in Salisbury has been approved. Pictures: Sarum Academy/Footprint Architects/Wiltshire Council

£14.6 million Salisbury school expansion plan gets planning permission

Paul JonesJuly 31, 20260 Comment0

PLANNING permission has been granted for a huge £14 million redevelopment of a Salisbury school.

Capacity at Sarum Academy, in Westwood Road, will increase by 300 places, with more classrooms, improved sports provision and improved facilities being developed as part of the plan.

Wiltshire Council has invested £14.6m in the scheme, with planning permission for the work now granted.

The Sarum Academy expansion project will see:

Refurbishment of part of the existing teaching block
Construction of a new two-storey, net zero science block
A new artificial sports pitch
Conversion of an existing building for sports and physical education use Reconfiguration of teaching spaces to support an eight-form entry school, including additional art and music classrooms

Once complete, the council said the development will provide “a modern learning environment helping more young people attend school locally alongside their peers”.

How the new buildings could look at Sarum Academy. Picture: Footprint Architects/Wiltshire Council

Cllr Jon Hubbard, cabinet member for education and skills, said: “Wiltshire Council is committed to investing in the education of our young people. We carefully plan for future demand so that we can provide as many local school places as possible.

“It is important that young people can attend school in their local community and benefit from excellent facilities that support their learning, wellbeing and future aspirations.”

Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to carry out the work, with the firm saying it would “work closely with the school, staff and local community to minimise disruption”.

Cliff Kinch, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the south, said: “The expansion of Sarum Academy is a really exciting project, as we know that it’s going to help futureproof Salisbury’s educational landscape by creating hundreds of new secondary school places.

“It’ll also be looking after the local community’s future generations in more ways than one, as its net zero design will provide a sustainable, high-end teaching environment for years to come.”

Construction work is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.