Controversial SEND Classroom Planned for Wokingham

Wokingham Borough Council has backed plans for a new single-storey SEND classroom at St Paul's Church of England Junior School after a planning committee on Wednesday, June 10.

The Childrens’ Services scheme would provide specialist accommodation for up to 16 pupils, aiming to be ready for the 2026-2027 academic year starting this September. The building would sit south of the pool and west of the main school, with teaching rooms, a sensory room and staff facilities.

The snag: it would be on part of the school playing field and Sport England objected, citing local and national policy to protect such land. Councillors said there is a big need for SEND space but worried about setting a precedent for building on playing fields.

Cllr Sam Aktar said: “The only slight concern I had is that this could set a precedent – the loss of a playing field. Could other schools then look at this and think ‘Oh, we could do something with our playing field?’ – just a little bit of risk there – keen to explore further.

“But I think on balance looking at the negatives and positives – do the gains outweigh the negatives? I think on this occasion they do.”

Highways raised no objection subject to conditions, including a travel plan, a parking management plan, cycle parking and delivery arrangements. Parking would drop from 30 spaces to 28, with two new pick-up/drop-off bays and safeguards against overspill parking on nearby streets.

Environmental conditions are required to manage drainage, tree protection, landscaping and wildlife (including bats and badgers), with a proposed biodiversity net gain. One willow will be removed and more planting suggested to balance the loss. An extra condition aims to cut the classroom's carbon footprint, allegedly delivering a 40% reduction.

Despite the playing-field concerns, the committee unanimously supported officers, saying the educational and community benefits outweigh the policy conflict.

Because Sport England objected and the proposal involves loss of playing field land, the decision will automatically be referred to the Secretary of State via the National Planning Casework Unit. If the Secretary of State signals they will consider it, the council may withdraw this application and submit an alternative one for the time being.

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter