Rochdale signals approval for SEN school
Tilbury Douglas will build the 24,000 sq ft facility off West Starkey Street in Heywood, provided the secretary of state does not call in the application due to objections to the loss of playing fields.
Rochdale Council followed officer recommendations to approve the Department for Education’s plans to deliver a SEN school on the two-acre brownfield plot at a planning meeting last Thursday.
Ellis Williams Architects has designed the two-storey building, which will be operated by the New Bridge Multi Academy Trust to provide education for up to 76 pupils aged 11-19 with special educational needs.
On the ground floor, visitors will find the 1,900 sq ft main hall, as well as a 700 sq ft dining room, offices, and storage space. There will also be two 140 sq ft sensory rooms, five 500 sq ft classrooms, and a 700 sq ft food science lab.
Upstairs, pupils aged over 16 will be provided with seven 500 sq ft classrooms, including dedicated art, science, and ICT spaces. Plans also feature a 400 sq ft secondary library and a 600 sq ft common room.
A multi-use games area and football are proposed to be delivered outside, in addition to 32 car parking spaces for staff and visitors.
The school will be delivered on a site that had been used as a public playing field until 2011. Sport England has objected to the development due to its playing fields policy, meaning that the application will be referred to the Secretary of State before work can begin.
Iceni Projects is advising on the plans. Also on the project team are AJP, Hydrock, E3P, Mott McDonald, and Kennedy Redford.
To learn more about the development, search for application number 23/00852/PSID on Rochdale Council’s planning portal.
