An education provider is making a fresh bid to turn a wedding venue into a special educational needs (SEN) school. 

The Witherslack Group tabled initial plans to transform Moor Hall into a teaching centre and homes for children with Havering Council in April. 

The plans were withdrawn in September following feedback from the council’s planning team and the Greater London Authority (GLA) highlighting several issues. 

These included that the proposal would not “preserve the openness of the Green Belt”, that a family home would be lost, and that due to part of the highway lying within Thurrock, an application also had to be submitted to Thurrock Council. 

Witherslack’s agent Broadgrove says the new plans propose to convert the main building into the school and existing outbuildings into classrooms and offices rather than knocking down any existing buildings. 

The three children's homes initially included are among abandoned elements of the scheme, but Witherslack still hopes to construct a fenced-off sports area with floodlights and goals. 

Regarding environmental concerns, Broadgrove says the new scheme “retains a much greater proportion of the existing landscape compared to the previous, withdrawn application, ensuring no resultant harm to the Green Belt”. 

After doubts were voiced over reliance on private vehicles in the first scheme, three minibus spaces are now planned, with parking spaces cut from 76 to 64. 

In total, 56 pupils are anticipated, with 42 full-time staff. 

Witherslack was approached for comment.

View the application on Havering Council’s planning portal using the reference P1816.22. 

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