A new specialist school could be built at a local business park, if plans are signed off by Warwick District Council.

Rushcliffe Specialist Schools (Mickleover) Ltd has applied for planning permission for the new facility at Abbey Park in Stoneleigh.

Plans show the Stareton Lane school will cater for pupils "who have Education, Health and Care Plans identifying an autism spectrum as their primary diagnosis".

The school is hoped to open in 2026, taking in 15 pupils. This will then rise to a maximum of 110 students.

"The open nature of the site and surroundings will provide the settled and quiet surroundings that are necessary," the application said. 

"It allows large outdoor spaces to be readily accessible to maximise the children's opportunities for outdoor social and learning activities. 

"The site will help the School minimise any negative environmental impact and allow good use of the site's micro-climate and biodiversity with efficient use of energy and resources ensuring the needs of disabled people are not compromised."

The location of the proposed school (image via planning application / Google Maps)

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Rushcliffe Specialist Schools opened its first purpose built day school (High Grange School, Mickleover) in 2011.

The site in Stoneleigh is expected to have 183 staff when it is full.

"The land [at] Abbey Park has been carefully chosen for the new school, taking note of [the] positive benefits of its attractive and tranquil environment and rural setting," the application continued. 

"The proposed development would meet the increasing need for specialist education spaces in Warwickshire."

The site is currently earmarked for office space and forms part of a major application for a new business park which was approved in 2022.

The site has permission for seven large office blocks, but only three of which have so far been constructed.

A supporting report submitted with the application states "despite extensive marketing" "the early phases of the consented scheme proved difficult to let".

See the full application here.

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The Abbey Park campus was planned to house seven office buildings (image supplied)