Appeal launched over land for special school

A search is being launched to find land in a Herefordshire town that could accommodate a new special school.

Herefordshire Council is appealing for landowners, developers and other interested parties to share information about sites that could be identified for it in Leominster.

They are searching for land in the region of 15,000 sq m (161,459 sq ft) to 18,000 sq m (193,750 sq ft), and people can suggest locations on the council website.

Councillor Harry Bramer, cabinet member for community services and assets, said: "Local knowledge is key to this project."

The move comes just two weeks after council leaders criticised the government for pulling funding on a planned school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the county.

The authority is now working with the Department for Education to explore options for rebuilding the existing Westfield School in Leominster, which supports children and young people aged 2 to 19 with learning difficulties.

Bramer added: "Our priority is to give all children the best start in life - every child deserves access to highly effective schools and the best possible education.

"Local knowledge is key to this project and we need the help of landowners, developers, and parish councils to help us identify sites that could be used for a new school if needed.

"(We need people to) submit any potential sites that meet the criteria as soon as possible, so assessments can begin."

The government plans to invest £3bn over the next three years, with the aim of creating 50,000 more places in mainstream schools in England to cater for children with special educational needs.

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