Havering’s Local Planning Authority is currently reviewing plans for a new 300-pupil special school for local children.
Plans for the new Balgores Special School on Balgores Field, Gidea Park would see the building of a state-of-the-art facility with outdoor play space, a sports hall, stage and therapy pool to cater for pupils aged 4-19 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
The site would be developed so that it can be used by the wider community out-of-hours.
A series of public engagement sessions were held earlier in the summer with the local community, councillors and stakeholders, to help shape the project’s design.
The plans are now going through validation, a process which involves review by the Local Planning Authority, before being subject to a statutory 21-day public consultation with neighbours and the wider public.
Procured through Southern Construction Framework in late 2024, the design and build project was awarded to Galliford Try and their consultant team, led by Haverstock Architects.
Councillor Oscar Ford, Havering Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“We are pleased that plans for Balgores School are advancing as it will bring a much-needed facility to our borough.
“It means that Havering pupils can be educated locally, benefitting from shorter travel times to the right facilities to meet their needs, while supporting the development of friendship and social groups closer to home.
“The public consultation will provide the opportunity to show how the scheme is developing as well as gain further valuable insights from the community before the plans go to the planning committee later in the year.”
The new school project is being fully funded by a Department for Education grant and it will help to reduce the travel costs incurred by the Council and make savings for the borough.
Gavin Bridge, Managing Director at Galliford Try Building Southern, said:
“Galliford Try is pleased to have collaborated with London Borough of Havering and the Astrum Trust over the past 10 months in shaping the vision for this much-needed school and community facility, which will play a vital role in addressing the area’s under-served provision."
Claire Barton, partner at Haverstock, said:
“We are excited to bring the project’s vision to life, creating one of the first large special schools in the country, where children and their families can be educated, foster relationships and grow in creativity and independence within their own community.”
Lara Parr, CEO of Astrum Multi Academy Trust, said:
“Astrum Multi Academy Trust were chosen to run the new Havering special school and are very happy with the design that has been developed with the project team and will provide 300 SEND much needed places in Havering and offer community use of its wonderful facilities.
"We very much look forward to working with the families, local community and the London Borough of Havering and other stakeholders to deliver a truly outstanding provision.”
Following the consultation, the application is expected to go to the Council’s Strategic Planning Committee, with a decision expected before the end of the year (2025).