A FORMER special school site in Keighley has been rejected as the location for a new pupil referral unit.

The now-derelict Branshaw plot, which closed five years ago as part of a major reorganisation of special education in the district, was on an eight-strong shortlist.

But councillors have opted instead for the former Bolling Special School site in Bradford, which has been empty since 2011.

Bradford Council’s children’s scrutiny committee heard Branshaw was the ‘second favourite’ option for housing the new unit, which will cater for up to 100 expelled pupils.

But a report said conversion of the site would cost more than £2 million, and placing the unit in Keighley would increase the length of journeys to and from school for most pupils.

Councillors were told although Bolling no longer served as a special school, it was in a good state of repair.

Pupils expelled from schools are currently taught in mostly vocational environments, in numerous locations across the district.

But recent changes to Government legislation mean they have to be provided with a more classroom-based education service.