Plans for SEND school could be scrapped

Betchwood Vale school is likely to be for high-functioning autistic children

Plans for a new Surrey special school could be forced back to the drawing board due to a legal challenge.

Planning permission for Betchwood Vale Academy, which would serve autistic children in Dorking, was approved by Mole Valley District Council last month.

But the High Court has granted permission for a judicial review on the grounds of environmental habitat regulations.

The council will not defend the challenge, instead asking the court to quash the decision due to legal costs, meaning new plans would need to be submitted.

It comes as 82% of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have to commute out of the district to attend school, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Elizabeth, a parent and campaigner for the school, said she was "disappointed, angry and upset" by the challenge.

"Is there any way we can convince these people that what they’re doing is really damaging for the local children of the future?" she asked.

A claimant challenged the procedure on the way the decision was made at the High Court.

The school had a provisional opening date of September 2025.

Residents from a private road near the site have previously objected to the application, claiming it would have an adverse impact on traffic flow and approach to Dorking and a negative effect on biodiversity.

Planning documents show Surrey County Council (SCC) Highways warned of “minor” impacts to traffic on the A25 junctions as a result of the plans.

A Mole Valley spokesperson said it would "reconsult" on the planning application once a decision from the court was made.

SCC said it was "disappointed" with the decision not to defend the judicial review.

But it said it had been advised by the Department of Education of its ongoing commitment to deliver the school once a positive planning application had been confirmed.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.