Doddington meadow could be used for alternative education

An application has been submitted to Fenland District Council for a change of use from agricultural land to Class F non-residential education on land south west of Washbrook Farm, Benwick Road, Doddington, including the siting of a wooden log cabin to act as an office and wet weather classroom.

Planning documents say the site would be used by Farm Club, a family-run provider which already operates an alternative provision centre in St Ives for up to 50 children a year and now wants a second location due to “huge demand” for places.

The Doddington site would host small groups, generally around five pupils and sometimes up to 10, using Forest School-style outdoor learning for children with special educational needs, mental health issues or physical needs who are unable to cope in a mainstream school environment for at least part of the week.

Plans have gone in for a change of use from agricultural land to non-residential education on land south west of Washbrook Farm, including the siting of a wooden log cabin to act as an office and wet weather classroom. (Image: Submitted)

Most children would attend for only a few hours a week, with different groups potentially using the site in morning and afternoon sessions.

Staffing ratios would range from one-to-one to small groups with two or three adults. The statements stress that none of the children is “aggressive or violent” and that the sites are kept secure primarily to prevent pupils from running away.

The application says no permanent development is proposed other than one single-storey log cabin, measuring 9m by 3m, to be used as a classroom on very wet days.

A small shepherd’s hut providing toilet and washing facilities would be moved around the site as needed and emptied into the main drains by the landowner.

The meadow already has an electricity and water supply.

Power for the classroom would be provided by a portable Anker Solix F3000 generator with a 400W solar panel, which can also be topped up from mains on the farm.

Access would be via existing lockable gates and a driveway leading to a hardstanding area for safe drop-off and pick-up, with most students expected to arrive in shared taxis.

There would be space for staff parking and, if required, a minibus. The statement acknowledges there would be more vehicle movements than the previous hay meadow use but argues overall traffic would remain “minimal” because of shared transport and staff car sharing.

The main use would be within normal school hours, with the applicants hoping to secure funding for holiday sessions so pupils are not “abandoned” during school breaks and can continue to make progress.

Planning papers suggest the owner may also allow local groups such as Guides and Scouts to use the site occasionally at weekends because they are “passionate about all children having access to nature”.

The operation would create six direct jobs – a site manager, a supervisor and four session leaders – with Farm Club also drawing on sports coaches, Forest School practitioners, bushcraft instructors, horticulturalists and taxi drivers, which the economic statement says will support indirect local employment.

The site is described as a simple paddock with deer fencing and thick hedging or bramble forming existing boundaries.

Biodiversity net gain reports have been prepared, with children expected to help create a wildflower meadow, grow fruit and vegetables and install and monitor bird and bat boxes as part of their learning.

The economic statement argues that the change of use accords with Fenland Local Plan policies on health and wellbeing, employment, rural development and high-quality environments by creating jobs, using previously non-income-generating land and enhancing biodiversity without significant built development.

It says the scheme would deliver “clear and measurable economic benefits” with minimal impact on neighbours or local infrastructure.