Special school move to larger site to be discussed

A school which looks afer more than 70 pupils who need special educational provision could be moved to a new site.

Broadmeadow Special School's existing site, on Lansdowne Road in Whitmore Reans, was in need of a "major" refurbishment and a new roof and was no longer fit for purpose, City of Wolverhampton Council said.

It is proposing to demolish the ageing Priory Green offices in Whitburn Close, Pendeford, to make way for a larger 120-pupil school.

The offices used to be home to the council's safeguarding staff but are now empty and were put up for sale as part of cost-cutting measures.

A planning application, submitted by the Central Learning Partnership Trust in May, said staff and children had "made the best out of the facilities available".

But it said the site had a number of problems, including toilets which were unsuitable for older children, and a kitchen with mechanical and electrical equipment "beyond the end of their operational lives".

A report due to be seen by the council's cabinet on 22 July said if the school was not relocated, it would cost at least £5m a year to place children in the proposed extra spaces elsewhere, including outside the city.

The planned new school would cater for up to 120 children with special educational needs aged between four and 19-years-old, the report said.

That would be an increase on the 75 children aged up to 11-years-old that are currently accommodated.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.