Leigh school has plans accepted for new autism building

Blenheim Primary School and Nursery, in School Way, Leigh, had a planning application approved last week for an ‘Autism Resource Base’.

The new building will include a foyer area, a learning space, two breakout rooms, an office, and two toilets.

The school say in the application it will be “to meet the requirements of pupils with additional educational needs and support, who will spend some of their time in the unit, and some within the mainstream teaching of the main building on site”.

It will be built to the southern side of the playground.

Laurie Burton, councillor responsible for children and learning, said: “I am very pleased to hear that the autism resource base has received planning permission.

“As well as being in my portfolio, Blenheim Primary School is also part of my ward, and as a councillor I am thrilled children will be getting this dedicated resource.

“My understanding is that some of the pupils will divide their time between the main school and the single-storey unit which, once built, will help meet the requirements of pupils with additional educational needs and support.”

Blenheim Primary School had 610 pupils on roll at the time of its last Ofsted inspection in 2020 - which saw it rated “outstanding”.

In the planning application, the school said the proposals are fully accessible and do not impact the existing setting of the school. The plans state: “The proposal seeks to provide an ARB to enhance the facilities within the existing education campus, and to meet the needs of its pupils.

“The proposals are fully accessible, and as such the existing accessibility of the site is maintained.

“It does not impact upon the setting of the existing school and are not detrimental to the existing mature vegetation on the site.

“The proposals have been carefully considered to ensure that the impact on the street scene, adjacent arboriculture and existing wildlife is minimal, and the existing features of the property are all retained.”