City of Wolverhampton Council has approved plans to relocate Broadmeadow Special School from its current crumbling premises in Lansdowne Road, West Park, Whitmore Reans, to a new £20 million purpose-built facility in Pendeford. The decision, made by the council's Labour cabinet on July 22, will see the school move to the site of the ageing Priory Green offices in Whitburn Close, which are expected to be demolished.
Parent Praise Amidst Unfit Conditions
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, cabinet member for children, young people and education, read a letter from a parent during the meeting, describing the school as 'incredible and exceptional' but acknowledging that the building was 'clearly unfit for purpose.' The parent highlighted the staff's dedication despite the facility's shortcomings.
Current Building Deficiencies
A planning application submitted by the Central Learning Partnership Trust in May noted that the existing school was not 'designed for purpose' and that staff and students had 'made the best out of the facilities available.' The application detailed the need for a 'major' refurbishment, including a new roof, unsuitable toilets for older children, and a non-functional kitchen that relies on food deliveries. Ongoing issues with unreliable mechanical and electrical equipment, described as 'beyond the end of their operational lives,' require constant repairs.
Expanded Capacity and Age Range
The new school will cater for up to 120 children with special educational needs aged between four and 19, a significant increase from the current 75 children up to age 11. The number of places had already risen from 54 to 75 at the end of 2022 when the age range was expanded. To manage the interim period, two temporary buildings have been placed on the school's car park, and a five-year agreement to continue using the nearby Whitmore Reans Family Hub has been secured.
Cost Savings and Alternatives
A council report warned that without relocation, placing children in alternative spaces elsewhere, including outside the city, would cost at least £5 million per year. The Priory Green offices, previously home to council safeguarding staff but now empty, were deemed 'surplus to requirements' and put up for sale as part of cost-cutting measures. The council confirmed that the existing Oasis Cafe, Pendeford Library, and St Paul's Church would be unaffected by the proposals.
