PLANNERS will be taking a look at initial designs for a new SEND school to be built near Bodmin.

The Special Education Needs and Disability school for up to 65 pupils aged 5-16 had originally been supposed to opening in January of this year, but the project was delayed.

Now, pre-planning application documents have been submitted to Cornwall Council.

The school will be located on fields next to the Glynn Valley Crematorium and the current access point off the Turfdown roundabout will be improved to provide a junction suitable for two-way traffic.

The plans include a two-storey, 2089 square metre building, around 39 parking spaces, cycle parking spaces, and a mini-bus drop-off point. A multi-use games area, five-a-side pitch, a soft outdoor PE area and wild planting are also part of the proposals.

Building the site for the Department for Education are Bowmer and Kirkland Building Services.

In a report to Cornwall’s planning authority, agent Nexus Planning explains says: “This site has been identified as appropriate for the SEND school by Cornwall Council, in consultation with the local education authority.

“The site has good transport links to Bodmin and the local area and the school would generate a modest level of vehicular trips due to the low numbers of staff and pupils, in comparison to a mainstream school. Furthermore, a quiet, tranquil setting is beneficial to a SEND school of the nature proposed.

“Pupils will, due to their special needs, travel to the site via private car or taxi and are drawn from a wider catchment than a mainstream school. Therefore, the site’s location beyond the edge of the settlement should be considered entirely acceptable.

“The development would meet a critical need for SEND education provision in the local area.”

The topography of the site, which falls from the South West corner to the North East corner, will allow the landform itself to provide some creening from the new building. Existing trees will be retained and additional trees and vegetation will be planted across the site.

Building materials are yet to be decided but these will reflect the natural environment within which the school is to be built, says the developer.