Merefield School in Ainsdale in Southport has unveiled expansion plans.
The school, on Westminster Drive, wants to create a single storey side extension, a timber canopy and the conversion of a garage to create two additional classrooms.
The scheme would also include a single storey extension within the internal courtyard, a single storey rear extension to convert one classroom into two classrooms, following the demolition of the existing conservatory and timber canopy.
The additions would allow Merefield to be able to increase its SEN provision for an extra 24 children.
A planning application has been submitted to Sefton Council.
It says: “The application comprises a number of extensions to various parts of the school to increase the SEN provision by 24 children within the Borough of Sefton.
“Extension 1: A single storey extension to the side of the existing main school connected to the previous single storey classroom development constructed around 2006. The extension will be constructed to match the existing building and is to be built on an area of land used as an access to the kitchen and bins which will be recreated to provide additional bin storage within a screened area.
“The extension will provide an additional 8 places for this specialist school catering for disabled and special needs children within the Borough of Sefton. The places will be a valuable asset for Sefton Education facilities.
“Extension 2: An additional Disabled WC/hygiene room, cleaners store and wheelchair store will be constructed within the existing internal courtyard close to the new extension and converted garage area.
“Extension 3: A small extension to the rear part of the building extending into a covered play area will create an additional classroom with a small kitchen, stores and quiet rooms.
“The proposed extensions are built within the curtilage of the existing school grounds away from any residential accommodation and will be connected to the main building in various locations providing access into the extra accommodation directly linked to other facilities within the school.
“The Disabled WC and other small rooms will be located within the existing internal courtyard within the school complex providing an important facility to the adjacent classrooms.
“The extensions are designed to blend in with the main school and will be constructed using similar materials to the adjacent building. The extension to the side will be constructed using brickwork cavity wall, powder coated aluminium windows and doors and a powder coated metal profile steel insulated roof with metal gutters rainwater pipework draining to the existing surface water soakaway system.
“To the rear, the building will have a flat roof to match the adjacent building with brickwork cavity walls, aluminium windows and doors.
“The additional classroom will form part of the existing building providing valuable teaching space for this special needs school where 8 extra children can be accommodated along an existing corridor providing access to all the existing facilities within the school including hygiene rooms, disabled toilet facilities, the dining room, and other teaching spaces all with wide level access for the children with complex needs.
“The rear extension will allow the single classroom to be converted into 2 classrooms with access from the building providing a further 8 places within the school.
“With the garage conversion a total of 24 places will be created within the school.
“The proposed building extension connects to the existing school at the side, adjacent to the previously constructed extension as shown on the layout plans. The layout links via a new corridor to the existing facilities within the school. The building has direct access to the existing play areas externally.
“The Hygiene room and stores are accessible from the existing corridor. The extension to the rear is accessible from the existing corridors and classrooms at the rear of the building.
“The extension will link with the existing building and will have features linking the new and existing buildings. As part of the consequential upgrade requirements the existing flat roof part of the school is to be re-roofed and additional insulation added to the existing structure.”
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