Special needs school and children’s home gets permission for new accommodation and care annex

Overley Hall, near Wrockwardine, applied to build the 146-square-metre “multifunctional building” at the north side of its grounds, on the B5061 Roman Road.

A planning statement, submitted on behalf of bursar Lynn Thompson, said Overley Hall caters for primary and secondary school age children and the planned facility would provide “accommodation for children and young adults experiencing a crisis” where they could receive additional care.

Telford and Wrekin Council’s planning department has approved the proposal.

The statement, submitted by planning agent Ian Whitworth of Huddersfield-based Progressive Architecture said: “Overley Hall School is an independent residential special educational needs school and children’s home providing education and care for children and young adults aged eight to 19 who have a range of complex needs, including autism and learning disabilities.

“The school is located in Overley in a secluded position.”

Blueprints submitted with the application show the standalone building, connected to the main building by a pathway, will have a a kitchen and living room and two en suite bedrooms. Mr Whitworth writes that these will accommodate one child and one staff member at a time, and the fence garden will allow “a suitable level of privacy from the rest of the school environment”.

A previous application, for a two-unit “living pod” with separate lounges, bathrooms and kitchens, was approved in 2018 but not carried out as it “no longer meets the needs of the school”, Mr Whitworth wrote.

“The proposed scheme is generally the same width and height as the previously approved,” he added.