Plans have been approved to refurbish and expand a special educational needs school in north Bristol. Claremont School in Henleaze provides education for disabled pupils but its current building has been described as “not fit for purpose”.
Bristol City Council’s development control committee A granted planning permission for a major refurbishment and extension of the school. Claremont is currently split over two sites, but the refurbishment would see all pupils brought to one.
The plans include demolishing the existing extensions to the Victorian Claremont House, and rebuilding a two-storey extension. They would mean the capacity of the school increasing by 18 places.
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Headteacher at Claremont School Emma Richards said: “We’re one school but we’re divided across two sites. The majority of our students at Claremont have physical disabilities, and profound learning difficulties. A large number of our pupils have very complex medical needs.
“Claremont School is not fit for purpose to meet the needs of our students. As a school we aim high for our pupils, and we believe they can all achieve. We want their experiences and education to be meaningful. In order to do this we need a new school with the right space and technology. Claremont pupils deserve a building much better than the current one.”
However, some neighbours living nearby objected to the plans. The new school building would be much higher than the existing one, and would overshadow homes directly to the east.
Simon Tomlinson, one neighbour, said: “Imagine how you would feel if you suddenly discovered that your neighbour was planning to build a massive building towering 11 metres above your garden, just a few metres from your boundary. Imagine how you would feel if they genuinely failed to engage with you or make any serious compromises. That’s exactly what’s happened to us.”
Councillors on the development control committee voted unanimously to approve permission. Councillor Richard Eddy, chair of the committee, said: “This seems to be a no brainer. We’re almost doubling the number of special needs kids who would be schooled here, in modern conditions rather than what they face at present.”
