Redevelopment of Telford school that will result in loss of trees 'exempt from biodiversity rules'

A council redevelopment of a school in Telford where trees will be axed to make way for a new layout will be exempt from new rules on making sure that sites show overall biodiversity gains.

A planning application which combined retrospective and non retrospective elements of changes at the John Fletcher of Madeley Primary School was validated by planners on August 17.

Its release to the public domain came after the Government changed the rules on biodiversity net gains, documents show.

It means that Telford & Wrekin Council will not have to take into account the biodiversity impact of the loss of three trees.

The council has responded to a drop in pupil numbers at the mainstream school in Upper Road by turning a part of it into a satellite site for The Bridge School for SEND pupils.

The council issued a press release about the scheme on July 22. On August 6, the Government announced that developments with a site area of less than 0.2 hectares no longer have to show that developments provide a net gain in biodiversity.

Planners at Telford & Wrekin Council have been told that the development at the school has an area of 0.197 hectares.

"It is therefore understood that the proposed development falls below the 0.2-hectare threshold and is exempt from the Biodiversity Net Gain requirements," planners have been told.

"The proposed development also relates to a retrospective planning application, this area of the application area is exempt from the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements. As such, a Biodiversity Gain Plan and associated BNG assessment are not required for this application.

"The proposal does not therefore seek to deliver a measurable biodiversity net gain uplift as part of the planning submission."

Consultants have told the applicants, the council owned biT team, that three trees will have to be chopped down to make way for new entrances, exits and a 66 space staff car park.

Five individual trees, three tree groups and a woodland area were surveyed by the consultants. Other trees will be protected by barriers and construction exclusion zones.

The plan for the creation of a new car park, one-way vehicular circulation system, a new access onto Upper Road hard landscaping works, and retrospective installation of 2.4m-high wire mesh fencing and gates is out for public consultation. The scheme can be viewed by searching for reference TWC/2026/0606 via Telford & Wrekin Council's planning portal.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked the council if it deliberately withhold the application until the new BNG rules came into force.

In response, a spokesperson said: “Telford & Wrekin Council announced proposals in July for new SEND provision at John Fletcher of Madeley Primary School for more than 60 pupils.

“The building has been specifically designed to support pupils who require specialist support, incorporating dedicated teaching spaces, tailored learning environments and facilities that reflect the needs identified within their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP).

“The complex application included technical reports, surveys and stakeholder consultation to inform the final design. It was validated once all required information, assessments and stakeholder feedback had been submitted, incorporated and reviewed as part of the planning process.

“The timescales reflect the work required to develop the proposal and respond to feedback received during the consultation process.”