Solihull - Q+A Planning

Thank you for your interest in the proposed new Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) school off Auckland Road, Castle Bromwich B36 0DD.

This webpage explains more about the scheme, development timescales and how you can provide feedback before the application is submitted.

About the Site

The site is located off Auckland Drive, Castle Bromwich B36 0DD. The site was previously occupied by the former Bosworth Infant and Junior School which was demolished in spring 2021. The site is therefore cleared and vacant. The proposed application site also includes part of the adjoining Bosworth Playing Fields.

The site is bounded to the north by residential properties, Bosworth Playing Fields to the west and a Childcare Centre/Nursery and secondary school Referral Unit to the east. The south of the site abuts Auckland Drive, beyond which are further residential properties. There is a public footpath, Avis Walk, which is located beyond the playing fields to the west and rear of the site providing pedestrian access to the residential area to the north. Existing access to the site is off Auckland Drive and is shared with the adjoining Childcare Centre and Referral Unit.

The site is in a sustainable location with good access to a range of services and facilities. There are bus stops close to the site offering regular bus services and Water Orton railway station is approximately 3.5km away.

The Proposal

The Department for Education have appointed Tilbury Douglas Construction to complete the construction of the new school.

The proposal comprises the erection of a new school which will cater for up to 116 pupils, aged 7 to 16 in order to meet a shortage of places for junior and secondary age students with an Educational and Health Care Plan for Autism specifically, in addition to associated Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) needs. Initially the school will open with 48 pupils across all three Key Stages, increasing over the years to full capacity in year 5. It is envisaged that there will be 50 staff initially and 84 when at full capacity. The school is to be managed by the Forward Education Trust, who already oversee several SEND schools within the area.

More information about the trust can be found at https://www.fet.ac/.

The new school will be designed and built to inspire new ways of teaching, focused on providing high quality education and providing pupils with a variety of additional accommodation such as counselling, sensory, therapy and one-to-one support rooms. A large full height main hall is also proposed to allow flexibility in the sports and activities which can take place.

Highways and Access

It is proposed that a new vehicular access be created to serve the school and the adjacent Bosworth playing field. The proposed car parking layout includes an anti-clockwise circular flow and a secure drop off / collection area for students arriving by mini bus. This will ensure that other vehicular / pedestrian movements are not compromised as a result of queuing traffic on the road waiting to enter the site.

It is anticipated that the majority of pupils will arrive to school by minibus, alongside a limited number in taxis and other vehicles. As a result, space for 15 minibuses' will be provided, alongside 63 car parking spaces for staff and visitors, including accessible, electric vehicle charging bays and cycle facilities. A new pedestrian route is to be created into the site from Auckland Road with a direct route marked out to the school.

The parking provision reflects the expected demand generated by staff and takes account of the sustainable nature of the site.

Design and Sustainability

The proposed building will be two storeys with an 'L' shaped footprint positioned centrally within the site. The building includes a canopy to define the entrance and large windows to provide a well-lit and appealing internal space.

The building has been designed to separate primary and secondary pupils within the building. The primary teaching rooms are to be located on the ground floor, rear part of the building and the secondary teaching rooms on the second floor. The shared facilities would be in the join of the two 'arms' to aid the functionality and efficiency of the building. The car parking is to be located to the front of the site, whilst the amenity space would be at the rear, reflecting the layout of the former school.

In addition to the traditional classroom and spaces dedicated to subject activities such as art and design technology, the school will include a variety of additional accommodation to support the needs of the students.

The new school building will have a contemporary feel with a simple design and clean lines, complementing the surrounding environment. It will be built with a brick and render finish and has been designed to sit comfortably within the site, positioned away from residential boundaries.

It is considered that the proposed development would make a positive contribution to its immediate setting, improve the appearance of the site and be in keeping with the character and appearance of the area.

Sports Provision

The proposals include a new grass sports pitch and Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) within the school site. Additional outdoor activity areas are also to be provided, including seating areas for external dining and teaching, together with a habitat area.

What Happens Next

We aim to submit a planning application for the new school during early March 2022. Subject to planning permission being granted and works commencing in July, it is intended that the new school will open in September 2023.

Further Information and Your Views

If you have any questions about these proposals or would like to make comments about the scheme before the application is submitted, please get in touch. You can:

Visit https://www.fet.ac/ for more information about the trust.
Email us at [email protected];
Write to us at Q+A Planning Ltd, The Stables, Paradise Wharf, Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2JN; or
Provide feedback on the proposals using the form below.

Please ensure comments are received by the 25th February 2022.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Your views are very important to us.