Two schools will be knocked down in Stockport and later rebuilt after major plans and millions of pounds of investment were approved.

Plans to upgrade both Moorfield Primary and Bramhall High School were approved at a Stockport Council planning committee meeting on August 13. For both schools, the redevelopment is aimed at tackling issues caused by ageing buildings that are coming to the end or at the end of their lifespan and will be paid for by the Department for Education.

In 2023, Bramhall High School was forced to close after dangerous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, or RAAC, was found. This type of concrete is prone to sudden unexpected collapse.

The school later reopened after safety measures were put in place and all classrooms in the school are now open. However, parts are still sectioned off and pupils and staff have been working in temporary classrooms.

While there has been some criticism a maths block will be left standing, the plans put forward to rebuild a large part of the school have been hailed as 'a once in a generation opportunity to create a state-of-the-art learning environment'. Construction is expected to start in 2028.

For Moorfield Primary School, the new school would be a complete redevelopment with an improved school building as well as further positive changes to its grounds. The school is expected to be finished by 2029.

In Bramhall, the plans went out for public feedback which found 86 per cent of the public were in support compared to 4 per cent against. There were some objections raised including the impact of construction, parking problems, as well as increased outdoor social areas.

There had been some opposition to the Moorfield plans from some neighbours who claim the restoration of a green field is 'physically impossible'. This site is intended to be used as a temporary car park while construction takes place.

At the meeting, the plans faced scrutiny from Stockport councillors but were eventually approved unanimously with praise for the 'really good scheme' and positive change brought about by the development. Councillor Shan Alexander said there would always be 'bumps and hiccups' but 'at the end of the day it will be a great asset to the community, to Bramhall, and to Stockport'.

She added that 'a brand new school has been long awaited in Bramhall'.

During a discussion of the plans around Moorfield, Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick said: "I think it's great to see that we're getting investment in schools, supporting children and young people in Stockport.

"A building can make a really big difference to a school. It can make it more viable, make it a nicer environment. It can make it better to learn so in terms of all that I think that's a great principle."

However he did raise concerns about disruption to people in the area while the new school is built and wanted to make sure there was two way communication between developers and neighbours, adding: "It will benefit the community when it's done but during that time, it can be quite painful."

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