Council moves to secure land for Civitas Academy

Plans for the new Civitas Academy were unveiled last month and it is expected to open at a temporary site by September next year. It will then move to a permanent home at the corner of Hodsoll Road and Great Knollys Street by 2016.

But in order to secure the land, the borough council’s policy committee is expected to approve a CPO to acquire seven plots of land at the site — including three with unknown owners.

Borough strategic planning leader Cllr Tony Page said the order was vital to make sure the new school is built in time.

He said: “This CPO is an important step along that journey towards delivering a new school.

“We had hoped to have been able to acquire all the sites voluntarily, but like Cow Lane we have had one or two problems so to ensure delivery of the school on time we have had to do this.” The new school, which will be run by REAch2 Academy Trust, is part of Reading Borough Council’s long-term plans to expand or build 13 schools to meet the expected shortage of 2,520 primary school places in the next seven years.

Under the plans, the Fairview Youth and Community Centre and Oxford Road Community School nursery unit will be demolished and the land returned to green space, while both services will be incorporated into the new school building.

Cllr Page said: “It is a good news story not only in terms of a new school but in terms of making better use of the park.” Residents were invited to view the plans at the Fairview Community Centre at an open afternoon on Thursday, but once detailed plans are drawn up they will go out for statutory consultation. Cllr Page stressed that the small site would be large enough for the three-storey building which will have recreational space for the pupils on the roof.

He said: “It is three storeys, and is a first for Reading because the roof space will be used for recreation purposes.” Email newschool@reading.gov.uk or call 0118 937 4381 for more information.