Salford secures special school site
The council is to lease 3.7 acres off Kintyre Avenue in Weaste to education provider Kings Academy Trust, paving the way for the construction of a 50-place school for children with autism and emotional difficulties.
The school, to be funded by the Department for Education following a successful bid by Salford City Council, was originally proposed on the site of the former St Luke’s Primary School off nearby Eccles New Road, while the Kintyre Road site was earmarked for social housing.
However, it was later decided that the Eccles New Road site would be an unsuitable location for a special needs school given its proximity to the Metrolink line.
As a result, the council identified the Kintyre Avenue site as the preferred location for the school, while the former St Luke’s, which occupies a three-acre plot, is to be redeveloped into housing.
The council took ownership of the Kintyre Avenue site from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford in 2011 and will lease the site to Kings Academy Trust for 125 years, under the deal. The trust is to pay a peppercorn rent.
In exchange, the Department for Education, which owns the former St Luke’s school site, will transfer ownership of the land to Salford Council, paving the way for a housing development.
I think this is very very good – why should people with special needs miss out on anything – people with disabilities often miss out on a lot like we are not welcome. We are like everyone, we just need more more and care.
By Brends chery
Great news. This site was going to waste, it will make a great base, hope you will try and keep the trees and reserve some green area.
By Bernadette Carter
Well done Salford,.Salford has always tried to do the best for its people
By Annie calvert
Great news. It is even better for a child to be close to the metrolink so special schools are easily accessed from different areas. I hope the school will be from primary to A levels and help with jobs when the kids leave school.
By Tiziana albergo