PLANS are being put forward to build an estimated £1.8 million 16-bed residential special school unit in Kidderminster.

Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet is expected to recommend the publishing of a public notice and full proposal for the new facility on Monday.

The term-time-only unit would be built on part of the playing field at St John’s CE Primary School and would involve the relocation of one temporary classroom. Under the plans, construction work would start in April, 2011, with completion in April, 2012. Children would be able to move in from September, 2012.

The weekly boarding facility would be managed by the planned new community special school that would replace Blakebrook Community Special School and Stourminster Community Special School from September 1, 2011, transferring to new school accommodation in 2013.

It would cater for children with complex needs, usually severe autism or other complex learning difficulties.

According to council officers, the business case for building the unit is that it would save money in the long term on out-of-county educational placements.

The cabinet papers state that the school playing field would have to be replaced in the short term, with alternative provision on the campus site.

It states that would require the agreement of the diocesan board of education and the governing bodies and responsible educational trusts of Baxter College and St John's.

The council papers add it would be necessary to have the agreement in place before the start of the project.

Responses to the public notice and full proposal will be returned to the cabinet for a decision on May 27.