(UK) Leverington: Plans made for special school; 48 students/20 staff

July 7, 2025, Eastern Daily Press: Go-ahead for 'much needed' special needs school which will offer animal therapy 

E. England

A new special needs school which will employ animal therapy to help its students has been given the go-ahead.

A couple named in planning papers as Mr and Mrs Loates have been given planning permission to change the use of their equestrian centre at Leverington, near Wisbech.

They said in a planning statement the facility on Gadds Lane would accommodate up up to 48 pupils with autism or social, emotional and mental health needs.

They said learning how to care for a range of animals would equip them with skills for life, adding it can help children who have struggled in a traditional classroom setting into "avid learners".

A planning report said 24 letters of support had been received for the proposals for Barra Farm, with one stating: "SEND schools are much needed in the local area, parents of children with challenging educational needs are struggling to find appropriate placements as places are limited."

Another from the former head of a special needs school said they received more than 320 referrals in 2023-24, in a school which had only 16 available places.

They added: "There is huge need across Cambridgeshire, as well as Norfolk and Lincolnshire, for a quiet, therapeutic setting, for pupils who find mainstream school is too damaging, noisy or busy."

Five objections were also received on grounds including traffic and potential "noise and disruption".

Leverington Parish Council objected, saying  Gadds Lane was a narrow, single-track road.

But a highways report said pupils would be brought to school in minibuses, so there would not be a "capacity issue" if the school opened.

Fenland council granted permission on condition the number on the site would not exceed 48 pupils and 20 staff.