Council Set to Approve New SEND Classroom

Wokingham Borough Council will decide on a planning application for a single-storey SEND classroom at St Paul's Church of England Junior School, Oxford Road, Wokingham on Wednesday 10 June 2026 at 7pm. Application 260425.

The proposal, submitted by another part of the council on behalf of the school, would create specialist space for up to 16 pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, including teaching rooms, a sensory room and staff facilities. It would sit south of the pool and west of the main school building.

Planning officers recommend approval despite Sport England's objection over the loss of part of a playing field. They say the scheme meets a real local need, fits the campus and will not cause unacceptable overlooking, loss of light or noise to nearby homes.

Highways officers raised no objection provided conditions are attached, including a travel plan, parking management plan, cycle parking and delivery arrangements to be in place before the building is used. Parking would drop from 30 to 28 spaces but two pick-up and drop-off bays would be added, and the council wants safeguards to avoid overspill onto nearby streets during construction and servicing.

Environmental measures would be controlled by conditions: biodiversity net gain, drainage, tree protection, landscaping and habitat management for bats and badgers. One willow would be removed but replaced with new planting.

Officers accept the loss of playing field land conflicts with policy but conclude the educational and community benefits outweigh that conflict. Any approval would first be referred to the Secretary of State through the National Planning Casework Unit before a decision notice can be issued.

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter