Plans to knock down the former Rushcliffe Leisure Centre for a new school building to be built have received mixed views from local residents. A planning application has been submitted by Rushcliffe Spencer Academy in West Bridgford which also includes details of remodelling the Notts Gymnastics Academy building, relocating all five-a-side football pitches, and installing a new nine-a-side pitch.
The plans to expand the school were first mentioned by Nottinghamshire County Council in January earlier this year. Conservative MP for Rushcliffe Ruth Edwards backed the plans at that time, too.
Rushcliffe Spencer Academy submitted a proposal to the Department for Education to expand the number of places they can provide, taking the total to 2,310 across all years including sixth-form. The leisure centre site, in Boundary Road, has been part-vacant, part-used since its closure in 2017, with most of the facilities moving to the upgraded Rushcliffe Arena site.
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The academy wants to use that site to expand the school, and use the opportunity to upgrade its sports sites, too. And the plans have received mixed views from people living in the area.
One resident raised concerns about the size of the school already, traffic in the area, and parking. Suzan Hyman, 75, who lives in Boundary Road, said: "A concern of mine is if there are any changes to the bus loop where buses can turn around, and what could happen to the bus stops opposite the entrances. I also think the school is too big. Bigger is not better.
"Lots of people miss that leisure centre, and I think it was the most used in the area before Rushcliffe Arena opened. I'm happy with the facilities that are at the school, which are tremendous and my grandchildren play football at weekends there.
"I've lived here for well over 20 years, and rush hour is a time I certainly do not go out at. Parking is a nightmare around here at times too, we're lucky as we have a drive, but it is an issue, and the expansion could lead to even more cars around here."
Others said they back the plans though. Nicolas Milhavy, 37, who lives on Musters Road, said: "The school itself is already a big old school, but lots of kids need to go there because of demand. I think the plans would be positive for everyone. You don't need to have kids that go to the school to benefit either.
"The kids go to advanced gymnastics there, so it's great if that resource is being expanded. I play football there every Thursday, too, so any improvements to the pitches and ground there would be great.
Rachel Rowland, 68, who lives in Boundary Road, said: "The plans seem sensible, the building has got to go somewhere. I've been here four years, and the only issue I can envisage is traffic, but apart from 15 minutes around busy school times it's fine.
"It was my old school, and it hasn't changed as much as you'd think. My boys used to play football there and the gymnastics has been popular there for a while. I wouldn't object to the plans."
