| Application Type: Planning permission |
| Development Description: 140 Pupil Special Educational Needs (SEN) School |
| Local Authorities/Councils: Thurrock Council |
Fuller Long are delighted to have worked on behalf of the Department for Education to create a new special educational needs school in Grays, Essex.
The new development, which is currently under construction will comprise a 140 pupil SEN (Special Educational Needs) school, for 5-16 year old pupils. It will be located adjacent to the current Treetops Academy on Buxton Road in the district of Thurrock in Essex, and will provide employment for 112 additional members of staff who will be responsible for the care and education of children with learning difficulties.
One of the key issues that needed to be addressed with this application was the new school’s location within the Greenbelt designation. This required careful consideration and strategic planning to assess and provide a case for ‘Very Special Circumstances’, with other challenging areas including the road access and parking. In addition local residents raised concerns in response to the potential for increased traffic in the locality.
Our team, led by Clare Preece, managed the application process leading an award winning team of expert consultants; namely: transport, ecology, architects, drainage, noise and archaeology to form a document package drawn together with our supporting planning statement. Following a number of proactive meetings with tThurrock Council’s planning department, our team were able to steer the scheme towards a recommendation of approval. Officers then presented a positive scheme to the planning committee and it was ultimately decided that the new school would be an excellent addition to the area creating much needed facilities for local children.
Following receipt of the decision Fuller Long worked with the team to discharge a number of pre commencement conditions associated with the approval. Construction is now underway and Fuller Long are continuing to prepare and submit details for the discharge of the outstanding conditions.
We are delighted to be part of a team that provides purpose built schools that have a direct and positive impact on the young children’s lives.
If you are in search of the right planning consultants to assist with your project requirements, look no further. Fuller Long’s skilled planning and heritage consultants have the knowledge and experience to help. Please call 0808 164 1288 or email us at hello@fullerlong.com to speak to a member of our team.
Image Source: https://treetopsschool.org/freeschnews/
