New school in East Bergholt to allow children with special needs to 'develop in nature' after planning granted by Babergh District Council

A new school will allow children with special needs to 'develop in nature' after plans were green light.

Members of Babergh's planning committee discussed proposals for a new outdoor school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Circles Alternative Education's bid was for four timber buildings and two shelters on land at Holly Farm, in East End Lane, East Bergholt, providing an alternative education option for children under 16.

Alex Stone, director at the company, said: “The woodland is the asset that we need, it’s the space that enables us to offer therapeutic intervention to our young people with special educational needs.

“It’s vital that we work in harmony with nature — it may not appear that way when we look at putting hardstanding and buildings in but ultimately we are looking to work synchronised with the environment.”

The plans received local opposition, however, with objections submitted by East Bergholt Parish Council and 56 residents, mainly highlighting traffic, ecology, and access concerns.

Cllr Sally Davies, the ward member, said 'immense opposition' emerged after the applicant used the site without planning permission.

She added: “Woods are special, it’s upsetting to see them change especially when they were previously open to the public — that is where the mountain of opposition came.

“It was an unfortunate situation because it clouded the fact that these outdoor facilities are a force for good.

“This woodlands school would enable children who do not thrive in conventional school settings to learn and develop in nature.”

Cllr Davies said although she shared the concerns raised by objectors, she was satisfied these were alleviated by the conditions outlined by planning officers.

On the company's side, Mr Stone admitted the company hadn't worked with the community at first but promised this would not be the case moving forward.

There would be four members of staff, working with small groups of students.

Councillors were satisfied with the officer's recommendation to grant planning permission subject to conditions and unanimously agreed to give the plans a green light.