A new special school for 60 children is set to be built on playing fields in Bury.

The council has set out the plans for the school on part of the long-established Redvales Playing Fields which will "provide specialist social emotional and mental health (SEMH) facilities for children and young people aged 11-16 years".

The land was designated as public open space.

The council said that in order to demonstrate to the Department for Education that this does not represent a risk to delivery of the project, they have taken the necessary steps to release the public trust in the land.

Due to the number of objections to the public open space notices, a report was submitted to the local authority's cabinet earlier this month to dispose of the land and that was approved.

A report to go before the council cabinet next week states that the council has committed to delivering a new special school, working in collaboration with the DfE and Oak Learning Partnership through the DfE free school programme.

Historically, Bury has been served by two special schools, Millwood Primary Special School and Elms Bank High School.

However, the council said Bury is seeing an increasing number of children and young people presenting with SEND requiring support.

They have been forced to increase the number of expensive out of borough placements for children at private schools.

The report states the school will open in September 2026 and initially have 30 pupils.

That will increase to 60 in September 2027.

The report said: “All of these pupils would otherwise have attended more expensive independent special schools.”

If planning permission is granted for the school it would take up around 30 per cent of the current council managed Redvales Playing Fields (3.8 acres).

The plans to release the land received 55 objections to the loss of public open green space.

One objector said: “The public open space has been used for decades for dog walking, parties, bonfires, sunbathing, informal gatherings, nature study and raspberry and blackberry foraging.”

Another objector said: “You propose to take away the only sporting facility in the area where children can play.

"There is chaos on the roads now without bringing parents of 60 children to add to the enormous amount of traffic.

“It is totally unsuitable and unfair on local residents.

"Build your school on brownfield site, it really is not wanted round Redvales.”

A third objector said: “I work in education and my husband too, we are not opposing to the building of an SEN school but to where it’s being built.

“Redvales field was gifted for recreational use for the public and not to be sold off for development.

“My family use this nearly daily, taking the dogs for a walk or for the kids to enjoy exploring the wooded areas and ponds.

"Where the development is taking place will take that away.”