Plans for a £15m scheme to build the new Orchard Special School and Newark Day Service Centre in Balderton have been approved by Nottinghamshire County Council. Full planning permission has been granted following consultation, which included two public events in October.

The Council’s development is set to be completed by Spring 2020 and will provide much needed, state-of-the-art facilities for 140 children with capacity to expand to 170 places in the future, as well as a new day service centre for adults with a range of needs.

The proposed location on London Road includes the site of the former Grove Leisure Centre land, the existing Newark Day Service Centre and Orchard School. The cost of the replacement school and the day centre is being funded by the Council with some contribution from the Education and Skills Funding Agency, and is being designed and delivered by Arc Partnership. Councillor Kay Cutts, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “I am delighted that this project is now becoming a reality. Our ambitious plans for a replacement Orchard School and new Newark Day Service building have officially received planning permission.
“The feedback from the school, parents, and members of the public has been very positive and we are now in a position to start on-site shortly to provide a completely new school for the benefit of its pupils and their parents.”

The redevelopment of the site will mean that the existing day service building will be demolished and relocated to temporary accommodation at Woods Court, a former care home, until their new building is completed. Consultation has taken place, and plans have been approved which also include the protection of existing trees and hedges during the bird nesting season from March through to August.

Orchard Special School is currently split between two buildings at separate sites in Newark – Appleton Gate and London Road. The new Orchard School will be provided on one site, which will greatly benefit both pupils and staff.