Proposals to open a new Special Educational Needs (SEN) school in Southport have been approved.
The new facility will replace a former medical centre at 12 Church Street in Southport town centre.
The new venture by Aspris Children’s Services Limited would host up to 18 pupils, aged 16-25 years old, and would create jobs for 23 full-time employed staff.
A planning application for the scheme has been granted by Sefton Council.
In a report, Sefton Chief Planning officer Derek McKenzie said: “The proposal would see the existing property converted to form a small, specialist educational need school for up to 18 pupils.
“The school would have up to 23 members of staff across various roles however it is unlikely they will be on site at the same time.
“The properties in the vicinity of the site are used for a variety of purposes. This includes residential, nursing homes, places of worship, education / community facilities and other commercial entities. The change in use would not result in harm to any residential uses by way of overlooking or loss of privacy.
“The proposal for a small SEN school here would bring back into use a vacant building and provide a long-term beneficial use which should ensure the ongoing maintenance of the building.
“The play area would take up a proportion of the rear of the site, however a significant amount of the space there would be retained for parking.
“The development would not harm the wider character of the area.”
Under planning conditions, work on the new school must be started within three years.
Within 12 months of the development first coming into use, a full Travel Plan has to be submitted to and approved in writing by Sefton Council.
The development would include related external alterations including changes to the car park and the creation of a new external play area.
Car parking spaces would be reduced from 25 to 19, with the addition of one new disabled car parking space, and five new cycle spaces.
LR Consulting has been commissioned by Aspris Children’s Services to prepare the plans.
In their application, they said: “The site is currently vacant and previously accommodated a medical centre which operated as an ancillary service to the adjoining St Marks Medical Centre, located at 42 Derby Road.
“The development proposals comprise the change of use from a former medical centre to a Special Educational Needs (SEN) day school.
“The school will operate between 8am and 5pm on weekdays, during school term time.
“The school will provide educational facilities for pupils with social emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and or autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) and associated conditions.
“Twelve car parking spaces will be provided in the rear car park for staff, whilst 8 parking spaces will be provided in the front car park to facilitate taxi drop-off / pick-up.
“Due to the nature of the site, pupils will travel in shared taxis.”
Aspiris Children’s Services say on their website: “At Aspiris Children’s Services (formerly known as Priory Education and Children’s Services), we always see potential and dedicate ourselves to delivering positive change for children.
“Whether we are working with young people with autism, learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties or supporting some of society’s most vulnerable children, we are committed to helping each child to achieve their unique goals and aspirations.”
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