Hope Community School recommended for planning approval in Southampton
Noviun Architects is pleased to share that the Hope Community School planning application has been recommended for approval by Southampton City Council’s Planning and Rights of Way Panel following its meeting on 21 July 2026.
Subject to the remaining formal planning process, the new school would transform the former East Street Shopping Centre site, bringing education, activity and long-term community value to land that has remained vacant since the shopping centre was demolished more than a decade ago.
The approved proposals for Hope Community School’s permanent home in Southampton city centre. CGI: Noviun Architects.
A permanent home for Hope Community School
Hope Community School has operated from temporary accommodation at Central Hall in St Mary Road since opening in 2017. The school currently supports around 220 pupils and has been working towards securing a permanent home where it can continue to grow and develop.
The proposals would provide capacity for a two-form-entry primary school of up to 420 pupils.
The design has been developed to create an inclusive and adaptable learning environment, centred around the needs of pupils, staff and the wider school community.
The new Hope Community School will transform a long-vacant city-centre site into a purpose-built and inclusive learning environment.
Regenerating a long-vacant city-centre site
The Hope Community School planning application represents an important opportunity to bring a prominent brownfield site back into active use.
The proposals include a new primary school building together with associated landscaping, outdoor spaces, parking and improved access. In addition to providing modern educational facilities, the development would introduce new activity and investment into an area that has stood empty for many years.
Its city-centre location would also provide an opportunity to strengthen connections between the school and its surrounding community, with facilities capable of supporting wider community use.
The school’s entrance has been designed to create a clear and welcoming arrival for pupils, families, staff and visitors.
A collaborative approach to educational design
The application was submitted by Morgan Sindall on behalf of the Department for Education, with Noviun Architects providing architectural design services.
Working collaboratively with the school, client and wider project team, our focus has been on developing a high-quality, sustainable and inclusive learning environment that responds sensitively to its urban setting while supporting Hope Community School’s long-term aspirations.
The project reflects our wider commitment to creating educational environments that are practical, adaptable and centred around the needs of the children, staff and communities who use them.
Next steps for the Hope Community School planning application
The recommendation represents an important milestone for the Hope Community School planning application following a complex planning process. We look forward to continuing our work with Hope Community School, Morgan Sindall, the Department for Education and the wider project team as the remaining formal planning process concludes.
Subject to final approval, the completed school would provide Hope Community School with the permanent home it has been working towards since 2017, while transforming a long-vacant site into a welcoming place for learning, inclusion and community life.
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