Portslade academy’s £12m extension approved

A £12 million school project has been given planning approval.

Councillors have agreed to plans to build a three-storey extension to the Portslade Aldridge Community Academy – formerly Portslade Community College – in Chalky Road, Mile Oak.

The project will also involve the demolition of part of the current set of buildings and a refurbishment of the rest of the site. Much of the parking will be shifted towards the Valley Road end of the grounds.

The scheme includes a science block and a new community library and will incorporate a sixth form centre. Sixth form students are currently taught on a separate site at the corner of High Street and Mile Oak Road.

Brighton and Hove City Council submitted the plans and co-sponsors the academy with the Aldridge Foundation and Sussex University.

Principal Stuart McLaughlin said that the scheme would give the academy a campus fit for the 21st century.

The plans were approved unanimously by the council’s Planning Committee.