By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
A Mansfield Woodhouse home will be turned into a training centre and independent school for children with special educational needs – despite councillors’ concerns about road access.
Education provider R.E.A.L. Education, based in Mansfield, saw its plans for the new site at Debdale House, off Debdale Lane, approved by the district council’s planning committee on Monday (August 1).
The current property, previously used as a home within a wider housing development, will now be transformed into an education centre for children aged seven to 14.
The meeting heard it will provide “tailored” courses to children with autism and who have mobility problems and will address a “local need” for this form of education within the Mansfield area.
Planning conditions placed on the application will mean the school can support no more than 35 pupils.
It is expected to need 15 members of staff, although this could be lower or higher depending on the requirements of the children.
Six classrooms will be provided over the two floors of the building, with an additional kitchen, dining room, common room and reception office also proposed in the plans.
Members of the planning committee gave the plans the go-ahead by a margin of eight votes to three.
However, concerns were raised in the meeting over how the school will be accessed by parents, pupils and staff.
Proposals submitted by the provider state the school will use a 3.5-metre wide slip road off the busy Debdale Lane, which is currently used to serve nearby homes and assisted living accommodation.
It will be served by an existing turning area for cars, with 10 car parking spaces to be created in this area.
Nottinghamshire County Council, the local highways authority, raised no objections to the access proposals and favoured this slip road because it has space for “passing places and … to allow a vehicle to exit”.
However, some councillors feared the existing driveway may not be big enough to serve the small school.
The proposed access road off Debdale Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse
Councillor Phil Shields (Ind), who represents Netherfield, said: “I’ve travelled [Debdale Lane] many times as I’m sure everybody has and it’s chockablock and full at any given time.
“I struggle to see that the access can be made safe. Highways are saying they’re happy with it but I can’t see how a small slip road can serve up to 35 cars as well as residents already up there.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen as far as I’m concerned.”
Cllr Rob Elliman (Con), who represents Oakham, added: “I’m struggling on a number of points, particularly around the access. As much as we need a facility like this in Mansfield, I am struggling with this and I can’t support it.”
But councillors ultimately approved the plans because Nottinghamshire County Council had not opposed the access arrangement, meaning there was no planning guidance to justify a refusal.
Cllr Martin Wright (Mans Ind), ward councillor for Holly, said: “I can’t particularly disagree with these points but the highways authority – a statutory consultee – says it’s okay.
“I don’t think we have justification to go against the highways authority on this occasion.”
R.E.A.L. Education – which is headquartered off King’s Mill Way in Mansfield, is monitored by Ofsted and has another independent school nearby on Woodhouse Road – can now bring the school forward.
In statements provided to the council, the provider said: “[This] will be a specialist school focused on supporting young people through tailored educational pathways.
“It provides a safe and secure environment for vulnerable learners … whose educational opportunities have previously been limited by the constraints of their identified disability and the lack of appropriate learning venues.”
