The £30m expansion of a school for children with special needs is set to go ahead after planning permission was approved. Leeds City Council will expand Broomfield SILC (specialist inclusive learning centre) in Belle Isle with 100 extra places.
The project will meet a growing need in the city to help children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Part of the existing school on Broom Place will be demolished and a new three-story teaching block built at the site. A council report said Tilbury Douglas Construction Ltd had been chosen to build the scheme.
Some £30.6m from the council’s capital budget would be spent on the re-build. The report said:
“A need for additional SILC places has been identified in this area of Leeds both in terms of current and long-term future need. The project supports children and young people to thrive by ensuring education buildings are fit for purpose, minimising disruption to learning and care.”
The report said delays in the planning process meant provision of the new school places would be staggered during the 2027/28 academic year. It said:
“The new main school building will complete first, in February 2028, with elements of the external works and the demolition of the existing main school building taking place after, completing September 2028.”
A planning officer’s report said seven public objections were received, raising concerns over noise and the appearance of the new building. But council planners decided all the concerns had been addressed. The report said:
“The proposed development will provide vital additional SEN places in the area and considerable weight has therefore been applied to this issue of need.
“The proposed design solution is considered to be acceptable and the impact of the development on the living conditions of surrounding residents has also been safeguarded.”
This post was written by Don Mort, Local Democracy Reporter
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