Cheshire East looks set to pull the plug on plans for a new alternative provision school at the former Crewe Baths.

The council's children and families committee voted in November 2024 to demolish the Flag Lane building, with the exception of the historic façade, and replace it with a school for excluded pupils.

But, plans were put on hold while the council waited for agreement and funding from the Department for Education (DfE).

At the end of last year, the DfE announced a national change in approach, indicating free schools without a confirmed sponsor would not be progressing.

As the Flag Lane school had a sponsor – the YES Trust – the council was given two options:

• Continue with the free school, with the DfE paying the full cost for the capital build, but the council having to pick up the tab for any abnormal site costs;
• Or accept £3.465 million (high needs capital grant) over three years, with the first payment being made in the summer of 2026

The former Crewe Baths, which opened to the public in 1937 and closed in 2016, will still remain in Cheshire East's ownership. The council will have to continue paying the ongoing maintenance and security costs (Photo: Ryan Parker).

Cheshire East's officers are advising councillors to take the second option.

The council would then need to work alongside the trust to look at alternatives to enable the delivery of places.

advertisement

A report to Monday's (February 16) meeting of the children and families committee states: "We recognise that the alternative funding option of £3.465 million will not enable us to progress with the Flag Lane scheme.

"But accepting this additional capital grant from the DfE will enable us to work with our existing mainstream schools and alternative provision school to address demand for places in Cheshire East now, rather than waiting for a scheme that is potentially years in the future, or that may not happen."

The former Crewe Baths, which opened to the public in 1937 and closed in 2016, will still remain in Cheshire East's ownership. The council will have to continue paying the ongoing maintenance and security costs.

The paper does not say what the council's long-term plans are for the building.

A not-for-profit sports club has recently said it wants to take on the building and reopen it to provide a range of sports facilities.

READ MORE: Two new restaurant chains officially open in Crewe town centre.

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

advertisement

Please consider following Crewe Nub News on Facebook and Twitter.