Decision made on new special educational needs school in Blackpool for 24 pupils
A new school for children with special educational needs is to open in Blackpool after planners gave the project the go ahead.
The school will be based at premises in Willow House on Clifton Avenue, Marton, a building which has already been used for education purposes.
It will teach pupils with a range of complex needs, who have struggled in previous education placements.
The new establishment will be run by Hexagon Care Services Ltd, based in Ashton-on-Ribble in Preston, a leading UK-based provider operating over 70 residential children’s homes, schools, and therapeutic services for young people with complex social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties (SEBD).
A planning application was lodged with Blackpool Council seeking permission to use the property as an independent school for educating 24 pupils and providing for 12 staff.
The proposals also include alterations to existing parking provision (formation of a staff car park), creation of vehicle access and pedestrian entrance and erection of a timber fence.
Initial proposals for the school ran into difficulties because the planning officer noted there were insufficient parking spaces to accommodate the increase in people using the building.
However, amended proposals were deemed acceptable.
The planning officer stated in the report that although the applicants had applied for planning permission, the application did not amount to a change of use of the property and as such, planning permission was not needed.
The report concluded: “The scheme is considered to represent sustainable development. It is also noted that the use would not be materially different to the existing lawful use, and most of the elements of operational development are permitted development.
“On this basis, planning permission should be approved.”