A new special education needs school in Sidcup planned to meet “urgent demand” is set to be approved next week.

Plans for a new SEN school co-located at Cleeve Park, along with a performancing arts centre and a new artificial football pitch, have been earmarked for approval at a planning meeting on Thursday, September 6.

The proposed school would be known as Cleeve Meadow School, and would be a 120-pupil free school managed by The Kemnal Academies Trust.

According to council documents, the school is needed as 267 SEN pupils have already been placed outside the borough and demand is set to grow.

A report explains: “There is an urgent need to increase SEN secondary school places in Bexley to make places available for 120 secondary aged places for pupils with moderate learning difficulties and mild autism spectrum disorder by 2019.”

The proposals have been put forward by Bexley Council and Kemnal Academies Trust.

Despite concerns that the development would lose protected green belt land and a playing field, planning experts have recommended the scheme be approved.

Officers said: “In balancing the weight to be accorded to the case for the new school, taken in the context of the harm to the green belt that would result from the proposed development, it is considered that very special circumstances exist which clearly outweigh the harm to the green belt by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm.

“The need for the SEN school is acknowledged as is the conclusion that existing SEN sites cannot be extended or redeveloped.”

Neighbours have objected to the plans on the grounds of traffic and parking pressures, and because of loss of privacy on their properties.

Cleeve Park students would have access to the new sports pitch and performance arts centre should the proposals be agreed as expected next week.

Planning documents state: “The proposals for Cleeve Park School include a new performing arts centre, which will include music practice rooms, drama studio and performance space.

“A 3G artificial football pitch is also to be provided for the benefit of both schools; with the pitch being made available for community use outside school hours.”

A decision will be made next week.