Long-awaited plans lodged for new "desperately needed" 70-place SEND school in Gosport
It will provide specialist SEND provision for up to 70 children with social, emotional and mental health needs
A vacant school building could be given a new lease of life as a specialist hub for up to 70 children with special educational needs.
Hampshire County Council has submitted plans to refurbish the former Peel Common Infant School in The Drive, Gosport.
It would become an additional campus run by The Waterloo School which is based in Waterlooville, rather than a separate new school.
The scheme would provide specialist SEND provision for up to 70 children with social, emotional and mental health needs, in response to a shortage of places.
Plans include a widened entrance to allow two-way traffic, a dedicated drop-off and pick-up loop, and a new staff and visitor car park with 33 standard spaces, two accessible bays and two minibus spaces. Two spaces would have electric vehicle charging points.
New 2.4m-high boundary fencing, cycle and bin stores, internal footpaths and tree removal are also proposed.
Reform UK Hampshire county councillor for Bridgemary, Paul Carter, said the plans were “fantastic news”.
He said: “This kind of provision is desperately needed across Hampshire, and particularly here in Gosport, where families have faced a real shortage of suitable SEND places.”
Cllr Carter added: “I hope this significant investment by Hampshire County Council will go some way towards addressing that shortage and providing local children with the specialist education and support they deserve.
“It really can’t come soon enough.”
The infant school building is currently vacant after Peel Common’s infant and junior schools were combined into a single primary school amid falling pupil numbers.
The council said the conversion would make use of an existing education site while helping families access provision closer to home.
Cllr Clare Bond, who represents Bridgemary on the borough council, and who is a SEND parent, said she was “very excited” by the prospect of the facility.
The Reform councillor said: “Our children can have the space to grow and learn without all the stress of a busy school environment.
“Not needing to travel long distances or have the stress of school transport every day will be a godsend to some of these children.”
The plans are open for consultation until September 10, with a decision date yet to be set by the council.