Newark MP Robert Jenrick cuts first sod for new Christ Church Infants’ School at Middlebeck development
The first sod was cut for a new primary school that will spark a bright new future for Newark’s last remaining infants’ school.
Christ Church Infants’ School on Victoria Street currently has less than 40 pupils of infants’ school age on its roll but will re-invent itself as part of the Middlebeck development where more than 3,000 homes could be built.
The new school is being built on land owned by the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham on Middlebeck, and will be delivered by the site’s principal developer, Urban&Civic.
The new school, which will accommodate 525 pupils, will be ready to open for the new academic year in September of next year.
It will be a primary school with a foundation and nursery section.
Christ Church has existed in some guise for more than 200 years.
Chairman of governors Tony Roberts said of the existing school: “It’s a compact site without a blade of grass for the children to play on.
“We are the only purely infant school left in Newark and are getting smaller and smaller.
“Part of the deal with Urban&Civic was that they would provide a primary school and coincidentally some of the land is owned by the diocese.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to place the opportunity and ethos of Christ Church into a new growth area of town.
“The design of the new school is fantastic. The facilities will be wonderful with a multi-use games area and playing pitches.”
The sod-cutting was carried out by Newark MP Robert Jenrick and representatives of Newark and Sherwood District Council and Urban&Civic.
As well as visiting the school’s construction site, Robert Jenrick was also taken on a tour of Middlebeck to explore the progress made by Urban&Civic since work began in 2017.
Middlebeck is now home to over 150 families, a café and extensive outdoor areas.
Richard Coppell, group development director for Urban&Civic, said: “The new school will offer children a first-class facility right on their doorstep, and will become part of the community’s growing hub meaning residents can access a host of amenities all within a short stroll.
“We were also keen to demonstrate just how much Middlebeck has grown as a community, particularly during the past few unprecedented months.
“Our contractors and housebuilders have continued to forge ahead on site throughout the lockdown to keep momentum going.
Lindum chairman David Chambers said: “The Middlebeck scheme will see the creation of a vibrant, new settlement that is less than 20 miles from our offices. It is great to be building the school, which will be such an important part of that community.”
Once complete, Middlebeck will be a new community of 3,150 homes, including a host of community infrastructure such as shops and businesses, green infrastructure including a waterside promenade, walkways and cycleways, formal open space and sports pitches and the new primary school.