Consultation over Biggleswade special school renovation agreed as council warned over funding 'black hole'

The comment came as Central Bedfordshire Council’s executive committee unanimously agreed to move forward with a consultation over a renovation of the site – rather than a rebuild.

The Hitchmead Road school needs renovating with six options considered, including two as 1(a) and 1(b) covering the same land footprint. A further 85 places would be provided, allowing for other smaller expansions elsewhere across the district.

The outcomes of a pre-statutory consultation, along with the wider educational, financial and operational factors were considered by officers from the local authority, whose report was being considered by its executive.

Ivel Valley, and the majority of the consultation responses, prefer relocating special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision to a site east of the town – but the cost of a new special school would be £66m. Either of 1(a) or 1(b) would be cheaper at £39m and £43m respectively.

Independent Flitwick councillor Gareth Mackey told the committee: “The report sets out the planned approach to securing high quality SEND provision in the east of Central Bedfordshire.

“This is in response to sustained growth and demand, and pressure on current capacity at Ivel Valley School,” he explained. “It ensures we deliver local provision for children and families, while reducing reliance on costly out-of-area placements.

“Proceeding to statutory consultation on option one would meet the medium- and long-term need. There’s a letter from the school setting out its support for this direction, after our engagement with its leadership team.”

Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Steve Owen warned: “We can’t allow Ivel Valley School to become a black hole which sucks in all the capital resources of this council.

“I’m pleased to see the director and the portfolio holder sticking to their guns on that and following a logical path for option one. It’s a pity we’re driven into another lengthy consultation.”

The Central Bedfordshire Community Network Sandy councillor Sue Bell described it as “a thorough report”, saying: “I know the community is very saddened its desire for option four to progress has been ignored effectively.

“It’s a pity the £8m (CBC underspend for 2025/26) couldn’t have been used for SEND provision to get Ivel Valley progressed to option four.

“There’s been the repeated concern about the bridleway running through a special school, with no apparent provision for safeguarding. We’ve asked for clarification from officers regarding the risks.

“We’re told ‘we have a plan’, but we’ve not been informed what that plan is. There are uses of that bridleway for interesting traffic, involving certain substances which get ferried around the area.”

Executive member for children and families councillor Mackey replied: “To commit £66m of spending means the rest of the area wouldn’t benefit from increases in SEND places because all the capital would have been committed to one area.

“The outcome and the quality of the build will be the same. Disruption will have to be managed, but it’s happened in other locations nationally.

“The bridleway concerns are valid. That’s to come in the next part of the process. It’s important to ensure this isn’t an impediment to delivery of an integrated site, which can function safely and normally.”

Independent Biggleswade West councillor Steve Watkins acknowledged that councillor Mackey and his deputy (councillor Liz Childs) “have worked hard to reset the relationship with the school”.

The executive unanimously approved progressing option one to a statutory public consultation, from Monday, June 22to Monday, August 17.

The consultation will focus on proposals to deliver 20 new, purpose-built classrooms, the remodelling of 12 existing classrooms into six larger improved learning spaces, a hydrotherapy pool, enhanced therapeutic and sensory spaces, improved accessibility, and upgraded outdoor play areas.