A COUNCILLOR has welcomed plans for a new school for children with special educational needs.

The Cumbria County Council application on the site of the former Newman School on Edgehill Road in the Harraby area of Carlisle is currently out to consultation.

The authority’s development control and regulation committee will consider the plans at the end of next month.

Similar sites can be found at the Gillford Centre and Kingmoor Park in Carlisle.

The project is part of the council’s Inclusive Cumbria Strategy, which sets out proposals for transforming its approach to “ensuring all children have the best possible education and support”.

A key part of the strategy focuses on ‘Alternative Provision’ sites as a way of improving outcomes for young people who are unable to access the curriculum in mainstream schools.

In November 2018 the proposed site on Edgehill Road, along with another site in Barrow, received initial approval for funding.

The site would accommodate 40 young people with special educational needs and is currently unused. It is expected the site will employ in the region of 12 class teachers and support staff and a further 10 staff for specialist teaching and admin/management.

The facility will incorporate two dedicated secondary-size classrooms with a range of specialist teaching spaces, including a science studio, Design Technology Room, Food Technology/ HE Room, Art Room and multi-purpose spaces.

Robert Betton, independent Carlisle city councillor for Botcherby and Harraby North, said: “It is good that children who are left behind by mainstream schools are getting that investment.

“Anything like this is good as it gives those children a real chance to develop and move on go forward and further in what they want to do. Everyone has potential and everyone deserves time, patience and effort.”

Mr Betton believes the type of development would be positive for the area.

“It is good that it is not more housing as that would be over the top. This is something that will help children reach their potentials.”

The councillor is keen the plans take into consideration the ‘parking problems’ caused by the pitches opposite.