Plans to replace a 70-year-old primary school in Oldbury, described as the worst-condition building in Sandwell and plagued by flooding, have taken a significant step forward. Councillors are set to approve a multi-million pound project for a modern, energy-efficient replacement.
A School 'Beyond Its Economic Life'
Sandwell Council's cabinet will meet on January 14 to decide on spending over £20 million on a new Causeway Green Primary School. The existing building on Penncricket Lane is in an "extremely poor condition," with the local authority stating its structural integrity is "failing" due to corroded steel frames.
The council's report bluntly states the 70-year-old school is "beyond its economic life" and is the most dilapidated in the entire borough's maintained school estate. The site also suffers from regular flooding, compounding the problems for pupils and staff.
Brandhall Village: A New Home for a 'Net Zero' School
The solution is a brand new, 420-pupil school to be constructed as part of the major Brandhall Village development. This will be built on the former Brandhall golf course, near the junction of Grafton Road and Ferndale Road.
The new building will be designed to rigorous 'Passivhaus' principles, a standard that uses superior insulation, windows, and ventilation to drastically cut energy use and carbon emissions. While this green design will cost roughly £1 million more than a traditional build, the council says lower running costs will save money in the long term.
Building on a new site was deemed the most cost-effective option, as redeveloping the existing school grounds would have added up to £5 million in extra costs.
Timeline and Wider Development Plans
If approved, construction on the new school is scheduled to begin in autumn of this year. Current estimates suggest completion and opening by early 2028, though a previous report indicated a potential 2027 opening.
The school is a key component of the wider Brandhall Village scheme, which was scaled back following local opposition. The approved plans now include 190 new homes and a substantial 67-acre public park, a reduction from an initial proposal for 550 houses. The 2023 planning permission was granted despite receiving more than 200 objections.
This major investment marks a crucial move to provide a safe, modern, and sustainable learning environment for the Oldbury community, finally retiring a crumbling post-war building that has outlived its usable life.
