Latest on Solihull school's expansion plans to cope with rise in pupils

Latest on Solihull school's expansion plans to cope with rise in pupilsPlans for new classrooms and games area at St Peters Roman Catholic School move step closerCommentsNewsSam Greenway

Local democracy reporter12:25, 02 Jun 2025Artists impression of proposed new school building at St Peters Roman Catholic School(Image: Solihull Council Building Design Studio/Solihull

Council) Plans to expand a Solihull school to cope with a bulge in class numbers could move a step closer to becoming a reality.

In 2023 an application for the building of a new two storey block at St Peters Roman Catholic School in Whitefields Road was submitted to Solihull Council.

‌ It was proposed the block would provide six new classrooms, a dining hall as well as supporting ancillary spaces and a multi use games area (MUGA) at the secondary school.

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A design and access statement included with the application said: “The proposed development aims to deliver sufficient accommodation to meet the current and future demand for secondary

Catholic school places from families in Solihull.

Article continues below “Whilst there are no plans or requirement for a permanent expansion of the school, there has been identified a current 'bulge' in student population in the short term

period.

“The current requirement is for a maximum of 25 pupils requested to be placed at St Peter's in years 2024/25 and 2027/28.

“A MUGA with an all weather surface is proposed to replace the existing dis-used MUGA which became unsuitable for use approximately 17 years ago.

‌ “This will provide a 7-a-side football pitch located on an area of the existing sports field, which does not form part of the organised or formal current sporting facilities.”

In February last year Mark Andrews, the authority’s head of planning, design and engagement services, issued a decision notice that the plans had been given approval, subject to conditions.

Now the applicant has applied to Solihull Council to sign off some of those preparatory conditions which featured in the planning permission agreement to allow construction work to begin.

Article continues below An application to formally ‘discharge’ conditions three (materials) and four (soft landscape design) was submitted to the authority on April 25.

A consultation is underway with a closing date for submissions of June 4.

To view the plans and submit a comment search for application PL/2025/00881/DIS.