SEN school lined up in Chorley
Plans have been lodged for the demolition of the former Minstrel pub, to be replaced by a two-storey special education facility.
The pub, off Eaves Green Road, was closed down in April 2023. According to the planning application filed, the 3,819 sq ft venue would be demolished, to be replaced by a two-storey block offering 10,603 sq ft.
Parking provision would remain similar, with one place added to the existing 35 spots. On the southern edge of Chorley, the site is close to two primary schools and a community centre.
Graham Lea Architecture has designed the scheme for the applicant, Northridge Education Group. The scheme is to include outdoor play spaces including a multi-use games area.
As set out in a planning statement provided by Holme Planning Partnership, the facility would provide education services for around 60 children with additional needs, covering children up to the age of 16, to be supported by 22 full time members of staff including teachers, teaching assistants, administrative staff, maintenance staff and other support staff.
The school would include a reception area, offices, hall, toilets, eight self-contained classrooms, meeting rooms, activity spaces, sensory rooms, and spaces for one-on-one learning.
Pre-application discussions have covered areas such as the loss of the previous use – the Minstrel had suffered due to its proximity to three nearby pubs, and marketing of the site had failed to unearth a new taker – and the sustainable location of the site.
Officers have largely been positive about a proposal that gives a new purpose to an abandoned site, Holme said.
Documents relating to the scheme can be found on Chorley Council’s planning portal, reference 26/00262/FUL.
