Plans for a 118-pupil school on the outskirts of Sandbach for children with special educational needs have approved.
Witherslack Group, a leading provider of independent specialist education, wants to convert Brookside Hall at Arclid into a special needs school for children aged between five and 19 (writes local democracy reporter Belinda Ryan).
The building, which was built in the late 1800s as a private home but was also once a school, has most recently been used as the regional head office for Sibelco UK.
A report from Cheshire East’s planning officer to the November meeting of the Strategic Planning Board said: “The application site is sited in close proximity to an existing quarry, Bathgate Silica Sand, so consideration needs to be given regarding the impact of the proposal on the existing quarry.
“Contact has been made with a representative of Bathgate Silica Sand, who confirm that there is no active mining and working of industrial sand in the area immediately adjacent to Brookside Hall.”
The proposal involves changing the use of the site and buildings from the existing offices to a school alongside supporting works, which includes new perimeter fencing and gates, two new multi-use games areas, the creation of new external doorways, the replacement of windows and the erection of solar panels.
The officer’s report said: “The school would provide both primary and secondary education for approximately 118 pupils aged between five and 19.
“School times would be between 8.30am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
“Two new MUGAs (multi-use games areas) are proposed to the west of the site. These play spaces would be available throughout the year.”
Access to the school would be through the existing entrance off Congleton Road.
The on-site 133 car parking spaces will be retained.
