Controversy over special unit planned at Combe Down school

A new resource base is being planned in the grounds of a Bath school to support pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The primary school is next to the community hub at Mulberry Park

A planning application has been submitted for the new single-storey stand-alone unit next to Mulberry Park Educate Together Primary Academy, following a local consultation over the summer during which some concerns were raised.

Under Bath & North East Somerset Council’s proposals, Mulberry Park, which opened in 2018, will remain a 210-place primary school, with the new facility providing 10 pupils from the existing mainstream school with extra support.

A report from the architects says the overall size of the resource base was reduced following a pre-application discussion with the council’s planning team but without compromising SEND provision.

The proposed resource base will have a classroom, two small group/break-out spaces and toilet facilities.

The architects’ report says the development will result in the loss of a “small area of modified grassland in poor condition and one small dead tree”.

The new building will have a ‘green’ roof and a replacement tree will be planted within the wider playground.

Overall, there will be a 34.62% increase in habitat biodiversity net gain (BNG).

A small outside space area is proposed for the resource base but pupils will also have access to the play areas within the main campus.

The report says the resource base has been designed to “integrate seamlessly” with the existing campus at Mulberry Way, using the same copper cladding and brickwork.

Although there will be no increase in pupil numbers at the school, there will be up three full-time equivalent additional staff, but the report says there will be no significant impact on parking arrangements.

A feedback analysis report submitted with the planning application says a public open event held on 16th July was attended by just five people – three parents, a local resident and a member of staff from the school.

There were three votes in favour of the proposed resource base and two against.

Comments by email were also welcomed by 23rd July from people unable to attend the open event.

Two open letters signed by 30 parents and three individual emails from parents were received and al were against the proposed facility.

Concerns raised included the loss of outdoor space, disruption to pupils during construction, the short consultation period and the lack of detailed information on the use of the resource base.

Other issues were the potential disruption at drop-off and pick-up times and that the design lacks natural light and is too small for the intended use.

In a statement as part of the application, the council says it is committed to increasing the number of places for children and young people with an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) within the B&NES locality.

It adds: “This additional accommodation will enable Mulberry Park to open a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) resource base. Resource bases are for children and young people with special educational needs and an EHCP who will attend mainstream school and receive additional specialist support at a resource base.

“The resource base will support children whose primary need is Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH). The provision of additional resource base placements at mainstream schools meets the wishes of families in B&NES who have told us that they and their children want to be able to access education in their local community whenever possible.

“This project will deliver for children and young people, their parents and carers while meeting climate and environmental aspirations by reducing travel and transport for out-of-area school provision and specialist services.”

The planning reference is 25/03288/REG03 and the deadline for comments is 25th September.