A council says it is “extremely disappointed” that a new school for children with special educational needs is still not ready to be handed over.

Woodlands Meed College in Birchwood Grove, Burgess Hill was due to August 25 last year but has been postponed on multiple occasions.

Now, West Sussex County Council says that despite reassurances from the contractor, the college is still not ready to be handed over.

A council spokesman said: “West Sussex County Council is extremely disappointed to announce that, despite reassurances from the contractor, Woodlands Meed College has still not been completed to a satisfactory level for handover.

“Council officers have reviewed the contractor’s progress in the last week and there are significant issues outstanding that need to be resolved.

“These include issues with the vinyl floor coverings, external brickwork and tiles around the hydrotherapy pool, along with other significant matters that need to be resolved before the building can be taken over.

“The council’s frustration remains that of the staff, parents and the pupils over the uncertainty, and we are sorry that we cannot yet confirm timescales.

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“As we have stated before, we will not accept a handover of the site from the contractor until it is in a suitable condition for pupils and staff to move into safely and without further disruption.”

Work began to build the multi-million-pound college in 2021 and includes a hydrotherapy pool, outside learning and play areas and an outside gym.

The plans were first due to be completed in time for the start of this school year but have been pushed back on multiple occasions.

The school was pushed back for a third time in November 2023.