(UK) Lancs: $3.4M extension to special school; "growing need for SEND education"

May 26, 2025, Lancashire Telegraph: Blackburn special school's £2.5m [$3.4M] upgrade gets approval

NW England

A major £2.5 million [$3.4M] five-classroom extension to Blackburn's largest special school can now go ahead after getting the planning nod.

Councillors have approved a planning application for the new building at Newfield School, in Old Bank Lane, Shadsworth, near Royal Blackburn Hospital.

It offers specialist education for children and young people aged between two and 19 years old.

The scheme was granted planning permission by Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee with 10 conditions when it met on Thursday night.

The extension is needed because of a growing need for SEND education in the borough.

Following Thursday night’s approval, the council’s education boss, Cllr Julie Gunn, has started the process to find a contractor to construct the new building.

Work is due to start in the summer and is scheduled to take eight months without impairing the school’s operations. . . .

 “The proposed extension would appear as a sizeable addition to the existing school building. . . .

Blackburn with Darwen growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood said: “This will be a great addition.”

His Tory counterpart, Cllr Paul Marrow, said: “Anything that improves things for our children with special needs is great.”

Ewood ward’s Cllr Jim Casey said: “This is building on an excellent facility.

“The kids love it. The parents love it. I am really chuffed to be supporting this.” . . .