Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2024 to Question 16109 on Free Schools: Dorking, what (a) reports and (b) surveys required to submit the planning application for Betchwood Academy the construction contractor (i) has produced and (ii) is producing.

The Mole Valley District Council decided not to contest the judicial review to award a decision notice to Betchwood Vale Academy and the authority submitted an application to the court to quash the planning application.

The following reports were completed in support of the initial planning application:

• Planning Statement
• Project Design and Access Statement
• Drainage Strategy and Design Statement
• Construction Management Plan
• Landscape Masterplan
• Lighting Statement
• Energy Statement
• Noise Impact Assessment
• Community Involvement Statement
• Geoenvironmental Desk Study
• Architectural Drawings
• Transport Assessment
• Car Park Plan
• Archaeological Desk Based Assessment
• Heritage Assessment
• Green Belt Very Special Circumstances Case Report
• Transport Assessment
• Air Quality Assessment
• Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
• Habitat Condition assessment
• Habitat Regulations Assessment

The following surveys were completed to support the previous planning application:

• Topographical Survey
• Tree Survey
• Ecological Surveys
• Arboriculture Survey
• Hazel dormouse Survey
• Bat presence and Bat Roost Survey
• Badger Survey
• Geoenvironmental Ground Investigation

All of the above reports and surveys are in the process of being reviewed and refreshed as appropriate to support with a new planning application for the school.

As with all government investment, special provision free school projects will be subject to value for money consideration through their development, in line with the government’s vision for the special educational needs system.