Special school plans on industrial site rejected

A move to relocate a specialist school onto an industrial site has been rejected by a council's planners.

The independent specialist Bow Street School in Bilston had submitted a planning application as part of a planned move across the town to the Spring Road Industrial Estate.

Planners at City of Wolverhampton Council rejected the proposal to move to Cozens and Cole's belt manufacturing warehouse in Spring Road, Ettingshall, saying the industrial estate was an unsuitable site for a school.

The Ofsted outstanding-rated school, which was founded in 2013, supports children aged between 13 and 16 years old with special educational needs.

A report outlining the council's rejection said: "There are significant numbers of lorry movements in the area, and the environment is dominated by the associated noise, dust and fumes.

"The area has an industrial character derived from the utilitarian buildings and the level of activity and noise typical of an industrial area.

It went on to say the outlook from the building was inappropriate for children.

"The pupils would arrive and leave their school in this environment and have no opportunities for outside play at this site," it said.

The council also said the proposed school went against its plans to protect the area for industry, commerce and jobs.

A statement included with the application said: "The existing school at its current site can cater for up to 20 pupils who have a two-to-one pupil-to-teacher ratio.

"There are currently 17 pupils and 8 staff at the school's existing site. The school is not looking to increase its capacity beyond its existing level at the new site; therefore, the existing parking provision is considered adequate for this very specialist school provision."

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