An empty community centre in an Isle of Wight coastal town will be converted into a facility for educating children with special educational needs (SEN).
County Hall’s planning committee waved through New Forest Care’s proposed change of use of St Andrews Community Centre on St Andrews Street in Cowes on Tuesday (13th October).
The approved use is intended to provide schooling for a small number of students, with up to ten children present at any one time, according to the applicant’s agent, Spruce Town Planning.
Councillors voted on the proposal due to the application site being owned by the Isle of Wight Council.
Conservative member Matthew Price said he had been to children’s parties in the hall many years ago and added that it was good to see it coming back into use, especially for SEN provision.
His motion to accept the application in line with council officers’ recommendations was passed unanimously.
Planners previously said the proposed use will make an important contribution to the mix of education facilities on the Island and add to the social wellbeing of the area.
The council’s permission has three conditions for flood risk management, safety and compliance reasons.
Cowes Town Council and Island Roads made no objection to the application.
