School SEND facelift plans 'could cost council £6m'

ORIGINAL PLAN ESTIMATED AT £2M

- By JOE LOCKER Local democracy reporter

TRANSFORMING a long-delayed “ghost” school to teach children with special educational needs could cost £6 million.

The 210-place Waterside Primary School, with a nursery, was due to open on the growing Trent Basin estate in September last year,

But “extremely low” pupil numbers prompted a rethink and it never opened.

In March, Nottingham City Council announced that it would convert the school to accommodate children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

A report to councillors now show that the council will be spending up to £565,000 to complete surveys and design work and cover professional fees for the proposed change of use.

The report says the project is now expected to cost £6 million. In March, the council anticipated needing £2 million.