AN ELLESMERE Port children’s home will become a school for pupils with special educational needs (SEN).

Cheshire West and Chester Council has approved change of use proposals for Westways on Hooton Park Lane.

The plans were drawn up by Emery Planning on behalf of Keys Education Limited and will see an existing garage demolished to make way for a replacement classroom building, which will serve 32 SEN pupils with moderate learning difficulties, or social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

A planning statement submitted with the application outlined the background and reasons for the proposal.

It stated: “The school will provide education in a specialist format which is not provided within the mainstream education system.

“Keys has 20 schools around the country, in areas such as Stockport, Halton, Darwen, Spalding, Wakefield, Somerset, Cambridgeshire and other areas.

“It is proposed to relocate two existing provisions at Halton school, Halton to the application site. The existing provision provides 14 places in each setting at the Upper and Lower schools. The proposal would consolidate two existing provisions into one setting.

“The proposed day school would provide education for up to 32 pupils between the ages of seven and 18. The school is required for young people with special educational needs (SEN), moderate learning difficulties (MLD) or social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH).

“All young people attending would have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP’s) in place as all have special educational needs and require additional support.”

The school will operate during term-time only and the school day will operate between the hours of 9am and 2.30pm, Monday to Friday. The proposal did not include any residential care or overnight accommodation.

“There would be 12 teaching staff present at the site during school hours including the headteacher”, the planning statement added.

“Teachers may be present outside of school hours (potentially between 8am and up to 4.30pm) for administrative tasks, curriculum planning, cleaning and maintenance. There may be a need for a cook, if children are not provided with a packed lunch. It is anticipated that staff would travel to and from the site using public transport and would car share.”

A Cheshire West and Chester Council planning officer report highlights the need for more SEN provision in the area.

It says: “The proposed SEN school is considered to be a community facility and is located within the Ellesmere Port settlement boundary.

“Whilst the proposal would result in the loss of the existing use, as a community facility the proposed use would also provide a community benefit that would address the national shortage of specialist placements for children and young people with SEN as outlined by the Council’s Educational team.

“As such, the proposed development is considered to be acceptable in principle and is consistent with policy.”

Council planners approved the proposals.