A new school is set to be approved in a Nottinghamshire area with a "recognised demand" for places. A plan to turn Debdale House off Debdale Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse into a independent school has been recommended for approval at Mansfield District Council's planning committee on August 1.
This application seeks planning permission for the change of use of the large modern detached house to provide a training centre/independent school. The applicant R.E.A.L Education provide OFSTED rated full-time school placements for children with special and/or additional needs who are not within the mainstream school system.
The school will cater primarily for children with autism/mobility issues in key stage 2 and 3 (ages 7-14 years). The applicant has confirmed there is a demand for this type of school places within the Mansfield area for children between these ages, with this application seeking to address this local need at the Debdale House.
It is anticipated that the school would accommodate up to 35 pupils and a maximum of 15 members of staff, although planning officers understand that this may be lower dependant on the requirements of individual children/young people. The only external alterations to the existing property would involve the removal of the existing garage door in the front elevation of the building and infilling this area with new brickwork and window/door openings, and the provision of an access ramp.
In terms of the internal layout of the school, a total of six classrooms would be provided over the two floors of the property, with additional kitchen, dining room, common room and reception/officer areas. In total, 10 car parking spaces would be provided, including two disabled spaces, two electric vehicle charging areas and five cycle spaces.
It is anticipated that all pupils and staff will access the site via taxi, private motor vehicle or cycle/walking rather than by bus, with mini-buses only utilised for school trips. One letter in support of the application and 10 objecting to the proposal were received.
The only submission in support of the plan highlighted a need for school places locally. Objections to the plan cited worries of an increase in traffic, issues with access, concerns over privacy and security, and a potential for anti-social behaviour.
In a Mansfield District Council report, a planning officer concluded: "The proposal would involve the re-use of an existing building within the countryside and secure the provision of additional school places for children with specialist needs, for which there is a recognised demand in the area. The scheme would also provide employment opportunities and therefore secure some economic benefits. In addition, it would preserve the character and appearance of the area and the setting of nearby heritage asset(s).
"It is acknowledged that concerns have been raised by neighbour occupiers regarding the nature of the proposed use and the impact of the proposed access arrangements. However, the school which would provide places for children between 7-14 years of age with specific needs (i.e. severe autism/mobility issues) who would arrive and depart from the site via taxi and thereby not have a detrimental impact on either residential amenity or highway safety."
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