Plans for SEND school passed

A new special educational needs school just outside Holbeach has been given the go-ahead by planners.

The Three Chestnuts, on Fen Road, is currently operated as a residential care home for six children by Hexagon Care Services.
The company applied for change of use planning permission to create an independent SEND (special education needs and/or disabilities) school catering for up to 24 pupils with a range of complex needs.
It will also have eight staff overseeing three classrooms on the ground floor and five on the first floor.
Holbeach Parish Council raised concerns about the potential for ‘36 vehicles coming and going each day’.
But a planning officer at South Holland District Council, which passed the application, agreed with Lincolnshire County Council’s highways department that the traffic levels would not greatly increase.
The officer also argued that despite more children attending, there would be less of a noise issue as the school would only be open Monday to Friday term time and currently has longer opening hours.
Documents submitted with the application state: “The school will teach pupils with a range of complex needs, who have struggled in previous education placements.
“A broad, balanced, relevant education will be provided in keeping with the National Curriculum.
“The education will be tailored to each pupil’s exact needs. The school will have a dedicated headteacher, supported by qualified teachers and teaching assistants, who have the skills and experience needed to meet individual learning needs.”