Prospect of a New Specialist School Addressing Wellbeing Needs Let Down for Conversion to Flats
Rochdale, Greater Manchester – Hopes for a new specialist primary school to support vulnerable children in Rochdale have been dashed after plans to convert disused offices into an educational facility were rejected.
Instead, the future of the vacant buildings on Drake Street looks set to be secured as residential accommodation, with new proposals to convert the site into flats now taking precedence.
The original proposal, submitted by applicant Supreme Start, sought to transform two disused office buildings directly opposite Beech House School into a modern, therapeutic learning environment specifically designed for children with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.
The detailed plans outlined a significant refurbishment of the four-storey structures to create classrooms, staff offices, breakout spaces, and dedicated therapeutic support rooms. The project aimed to provide a high-quality educational facility tailored to young people who struggle with emotional regulation and behaviour within standard school settings.
Supreme Start had highlighted a, "huge demand", for SEMH primary school provision within Rochdale, arguing that the proposed facility was vital to cater to the borough's vulnerable children. Projections suggested the school would have created more than 30 full-time jobs, including teachers, teaching assistants, pastoral staff, and catering personnel.
However, despite the pressing need for specialist educational support identified by the applicant, the plans for the school have not moved forward.
The disused office blocks, which have sat empty for some time, are now expected to be converted into residential apartments. While the exact details of the housing scheme are yet to be finalised, the decision marks a significant shift in the site's development, prioritising housing over education.
The rejection of the SEMH school proposal leaves a gap in local provision for children requiring focused social, emotional, and mental health interventions, a need that Supreme Start had argued was urgent in the area.
The local authority has yet to comment publicly on the specific reasons for the refusal of the school plans, but the move to residential conversion is expected to bring the long-vacant buildings back into use.
Instead, the future of the vacant buildings on Drake Street looks set to be secured as residential accommodation, with new proposals to convert the site into flats now taking precedence.
The original proposal, submitted by applicant Supreme Start, sought to transform two disused office buildings directly opposite Beech House School into a modern, therapeutic learning environment specifically designed for children with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.
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The detailed plans outlined a significant refurbishment of the four-storey structures to create classrooms, staff offices, breakout spaces, and dedicated therapeutic support rooms. The project aimed to provide a high-quality educational facility tailored to young people who struggle with emotional regulation and behaviour within standard school settings.
Supreme Start had highlighted a, "huge demand", for SEMH primary school provision within Rochdale, arguing that the proposed facility was vital to cater to the borough's vulnerable children. Projections suggested the school would have created more than 30 full-time jobs, including teachers, teaching assistants, pastoral staff, and catering personnel.
However, despite the pressing need for specialist educational support identified by the applicant, the plans for the school have not moved forward.
The disused office blocks, which have sat empty for some time, are now expected to be converted into residential apartments. While the exact details of the housing scheme are yet to be finalised, the decision marks a significant shift in the site's development, prioritising housing over education.
The rejection of the SEMH school proposal leaves a gap in local provision for children requiring focused social, emotional, and mental health interventions, a need that Supreme Start had argued was urgent in the area.
The local authority has yet to comment publicly on the specific reasons for the refusal of the school plans, but the move to residential conversion is expected to bring the long-vacant buildings back into use.
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