(UK) Accrington: New special school approved; 25 students/15 staff

Aug 29, 2026, hellorayo:  New SEND school approved for Accrington

Plans to transform a vacant former office building into a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school have been approved by Hyndburn Borough Council.

The scheme will see the former Riley and Shutt offices on Malt Street converted into a specialist primary school for up to 25 SEND children, with facilities including classrooms, therapy spaces, a sensory garden, outdoor play areas and a dining hall.

Council planning officers recommended approval after concluding there was no realistic demand for the building’s continued use as offices and that the educational benefits of the proposal outweighed the loss of the employment site.

According to the approved plans, submitted by Sheila Wright Planning on behalf of Beacon Lights, the school will employ around 15 staff, and the works will involve the demolition of an external workshop to create an outdoor play area for its students.

In a report approving the scheme, Hyndburn planning officers said there was a recognised need for additional SEND provision in East Lancashire and attached ‘positive weight’ to the educational benefits of the development.

The report states: “The submitted Planning Statement suggests that there is a specific need for social, environmental and mental health education provision in East Lancashire.”

Planning officers also noted national planning policy requires ‘great weight’ to be given to the need to create schools. . . .

The council was told the premises had been marketed for more than a year without attracting buyers or tenants. The building was initially placed on the market for £400,000 before the asking price was reduced several times. It was eventually sold in February this year for £100,000 below the original asking price. . . .

The approval comes as Lancashire County Council publishes an update highlighting growing demand for SEND services across the county, ahead of the new school year.

The authority said the number of children receiving support through Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) has increased by 23 per cent over the past year. It also reported a 76 per cent reduction in the number of children waiting longer than 20 weeks for an assessment, alongside a 75 per cent increase in the SEND workforce.

The county council said it has invested more than £9m [$12M]  in educational psychology support, £2m [$2.7M] to help mainstream schools support SEND pupils and created hundreds of additional specialist school places across Lancashire.