Shropshire Star

Rock school chiefs sound out Telford premises

Six new training studios could be opened as part of plans for an international school of music.

Published

The Rock Project wants to convert an industrial unit in Ketley, Telford, into a space for teaching music, expanding its operation in Shropshire which currently comprises regular sessions at community centres across the county.

Gail Faith, of the Rock Project, has lodged a planning application with Telford & Wrekin Council, requesting permission to set up the studios at Unit 45N on Ketley Business Park.

She said: "Our session hours are from 4pm to 9pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 2pm on Saturdays.

"Outside of normal session times our tutors will use the studios for one to one tuition.

"There would be a maximum of 25 to 30 students in any one session.

The unit at Ketley Business Park

"Students attend for a two-hour session which is one hour on their instrument and then one hour of 'plug and play', when they practice the songs they have learned along with other students so they experience playing in a band.

"The interior has been designed to take into account the need to contain noise and we are confident this can be achieved.

"As we run outside of normal working hours and as Ketley Business Park has a large area of car parking available I do not see any problems.

"The children tend to arrive at staggered times and will be dropped off and picked up after the session."

If approved, the plans would also see a toilet block, stage area and kitchen facilities installed at the 203sq metre unit. Seven tutors in total will work out of the studios.

The Rock Project, founded in Wales in 2005, now runs more than 70 schools across the UK and Ireland.

It offers group lessons in electric guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals.

The application is under consultation until September 4.