New special needs school could be built on industrial estate

Tuesday, 6 May 2025 16:09

By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter

A new temporary special needs school could be built on an industrial estate in Middleton.

Meadows School says their current site in Rochdale, which caters for young people with educational, social, emotional, behavioural difficulties, is no longer fit for purpose. The Egerton House building, off Wardle Road, is too small and lacks outdoor space, according to the independent school.

With an increasing number of referrals to their school, they feel a new location is needed to improve their service for children.

The new school would be created in Link House, off Finlan Road in the Shakehill Industrial Estate. The empty building was vacated 18-months-ago by technology company MID Digital Solutions.

Meadows School wants to use the space for new classrooms with the addition of a ‘multi-use games area’ (MUGA). The outdoor yard would be fenced off for the safety and security of students.

It would be able to cater for a maximum of 40 pupils aged 11 to 17.

If plans for the temporary school are approved, the site would become Meadows School’s home for the next 15 years. After the 15 years is up, it is expected the site will go back into industrial use once again.

Planning papers read: “The School is relocating from their existing premises at Egerton House, Wardle Road in Rochdale, which is no longer fit for purpose. The applicant is receiving an increase in referrals and are therefore required to expand as a school.

“The existing premises also does not have any outdoor play space which is a limitation to the education and what they can provide in terms of curriculum. They currently utilise private games and play spaces where they are required to travel to and from.

“The existing School has an Ofsted rating of ‘good’, which will never be exceeded without access to outdoor play space.”

The redeveloped site will provide a total of 19 car parking spaces to provide for staff and visitors.

It is up to Rochdale Council’s planning team to make a final decision on the proposal.