Plans have been submitted for a 118-pupil school on the outskirts of Sandbach for children with special educational needs.

Witherslack Group, a leading provider of independent specialist education, wants to convert Brookside Hall at Arclid into a SEN school for children aged between five and 19 years.

The site, which was once a school, has most recently been used as the regional head office for Sibelco UK.

A design and access statement submitted by the Witherslack Group describes the existing site off Congleton Road as 'an ideal location which will provide future pupils with the very best learning experiences and exposure to nature'.

It continues: "The school will provide approximately 118 spaces for SEN pupils and offer a range of employments opportunities for approximately 70 full-time equivalent employees.

"In addition to providing a new school, the site's location – being positioned centrally within England and adjoining the M6 – will provide Witherslack with an excellent opportunity to offer new training and administrative roles which can be easily accessed from other sites."

Witherslack provides specialist education and care for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, communication difficulties, including autistic spectrum conditions, speech, language and communication needs, ADHD and complex learning needs.

The group currently operates 28 schools, 38 children's homes, four vocational training centres and seven integrated learning centres.

This represents an approximate provision of combined care and education to over 1,800 young people and employment to more than 2,000 people.

The application is for the change of use of the site and buildings from office use to a SEN school and for two new MUGA (multi-use games area) pitches as well as new fencing, gates and doorways and the erection of solar panels.

The report states: "The proposal seeks to simply re-use the existing buildings and external facilities, with the only 'new built' development being the proposed MUGAs, hardstanding play areas and external perimeter fencing.

"No new floor space will be created across the development site."

The application, number 24/2164C, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council's website.

The closing date for submitting comments is July 25 and, according to the council's website, the application is due to be considered by the strategic planning board on September 18.

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