Werneth Primary School extension approved by Oldham Council

Werneth Primary School has been given the green light to build a new extension after Oldham Council approved the plans this week. The development will create a dedicated special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) unit at the front of the building, allowing the school to expand its provision for local children with additional needs.

The single-storey extension will feature red brickwork and traditional style windows, designed to complement the existing school building on Park Road. A free-standing canopy will also be built in the children's playground area. Planning officers described the design as 'modest' with minimal impact on the school's character and the surrounding street scene.

The new SEND unit will provide much-needed specialist facilities for children in the Werneth area, allowing more local families to access appropriate education without having to travel further afield. The school can now move forward with construction plans, though no specific timeline for building work has been announced.

Importantly, the development won't affect nearby residents as it's not directly adjacent to any homes. The plans were also exempt from biodiversity net gain requirements due to the scale of the project and the fact that the site is already hardstanding. The approval comes as part of Oldham Council's ongoing efforts to improve SEND provision across the borough.