Special school building cost increases to £25.6m

Hull City Council first announced plans for the new school in 2019 and hopes it could be open in 2026

The cost of building a new free school, catering for children with severe learning disabilities, has risen to £25.6m, Hull City Council has said.

The 125-place, Willowfields School, was first announced in 2019 with an allocated budget of £19.6m but it has been hit by a series of delays.

The authority has revealed the £6m shortfall will be split equally by council funding and the Department for Education.

Construction work is due to start at the site on Inglemire Lane next year, with an expected completion date of November 2026.

The school will cater for those aged between four and 19.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, it was originally due to open earlier this year but the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the withdrawal of a contractor delayed the project.

In a report to the Hull City Council's cabinet, it was stated the Willowfields School will "help address revenue pressures in relation to Special Educational Needs provision".

It also states a final decision over funding will be made by the government after the summer parliamentary recess.

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