Addington Early
Years Centre
Delivering SEND Places
Wokingham Borough Council is focused on delivering SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) places for early years children in the Borough. As part of the phased approach, the Old Farley Hill Primary School in Farley Hill was identified as ideal location to provide additional SEND space. The existing premises at the site were refurbished and re-purposed to create a fit for purpose facility for up to 40 SEND primary age children.
ERMC have been instructed by Wokingham Borough Council to develop a design solution for the remodelling and extending of the original school building. The old school was in operation up until July 2021 and the intention was to refurbish the existing site to meet the children’s needs in conjunction with Addington school who will run this provision as a satellite to their main site in Woodley.
School expansion
The planning application sought permission for the following;
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Three extensions to the building forming additional classroom space, site controller’s facilities and a new main reception area.
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New 2m high security fence to front boundary and play areas.
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New main vehicular access to car park.
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Use of existing playground as new car park.
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Additional hard surface area to form parking.
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Additional hard surface area and retaining walls to for area for sprinkler tank and plant.
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New sprinkler tank.
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New Plant.
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New soft pour surface play area.
Conscientious upgrades
New playground equipment was provided by a specialist
manufacturer and was positioned in the existing play areas. This equipment replaced the old timber play equipment which is not suitable for a SEND environment.
The following improvements have been made to the building as part of the scheme;
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Replacement of all existing windows with new double-glazed sealed units.
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Removal and replacement of existing gas boiler and wet heating system with new VRF/VRV system.
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Insulation to roofs where possible in new suspended ceilings.
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Removal of LPG gas system.
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Installation of two Electric Vehicle Charging Points.
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Provision of staff shower and changing facilities to encourage cycling.
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Provision of existing garage block as new cycle store.