Arclid: New special school hopes to be open by May

Cheshire East’s strategic planning board voted unanimously to grant approval for Brookside Hall at Arclid to be converted into a SEN school for children aged between five and 19 years.

The building was most recently used as offices by Sibelco.

The school will be run by the Witherslack Group, which provides specialist education and care for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, communication difficulties, ADHD and complex learning needs.

Rupert Litherland, representing the applicant, told yesterday’s (Wednesday) meeting: “We work in close partnership with more than 100 local authorities to ensure that we continue to provide aspirational futures to all young people who attend our schools.”

He said all the places are paid for by local authorities and anticipated a high proportion of the children for the Arclid school, would be from Cheshire East.

One resident spoke at the meeting to object to the proposal on the grounds of highways safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

Strategic planning board meeting (Image: Belinda Ryan, LDRS) Matthias Bunte said the proposal, in his opinion, only met one of 27 points relating to sustainable travel and transport policy and he added the bus stops are not accessible due to a lack of footways.

The proposal involves changing the use of the site and buildings from the existing offices to a SEN school alongside supporting works, which includes new perimeter fencing and gates, two new MUGAs, the creation of new external doorways, the replacement of windows and the erection of solar panels.

Cllr Steve Edgar (Image: Cheshire East Council)

Cllr Steve Edgar (Haslington, Con) said: “You can’t improve the highway and the kids are going to be coming in on buses and taxis.

“It’s something that’s desperately needed.”

He moved the application be approved and this was seconded by Cllr Anthony Harrison (Chelford, Con).

Cllr Stewart Gardiner (Knutsford, Con) said: “I recognise the desperate need for this type of accommodation.

“I was pleased to hear that it is anticipated the majority of clients would come from our own children because some of these facilities can be so specialised that they’re attracting people from all over the place.”

He said he understood Mr Bunte’s concerns and asked the applicant to consider installing showers in the new school and cycle parking for staff members who may feel safe cycling to the site.