The wheels are now in motion for a Grade 2 listing building here in Ruddington to begin a new chapter in its history – after planning permission for a ‘special school’ there was granted by Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC).
As RUDDINGTON.info reported in April, an application was submitted by Polaris Children’s Services to turn ‘Easthorpe House’ at 165, Loughborough Road into a school for pupils with special educational needs. The approval means the former offices of NHS Rushcliffe Clinical Commissioning Group will soon be back in use to provide classrooms for around 80 pupils aged 7 to 16, creating around 40 jobs.
As part of its application, Polaris explained: “We support children and young people with social, emotional, and mental health difficulties (SEMH), communication and interaction, cognition, and learning needs, and our experienced education teams work hard to deliver highly innovative and personalised curriculums that are tailored to individual pupil’s requirements. The demand for this provision is growing and we are working closely with Nottinghamshire County Council and other neighbouring authorities to establish the Easthorpe School.”
In the planning consultation that followed (REF: 22/00506/FUL), there was broad support from the public and consultees for the proposals, with only one objection received. After taking into account a number of concerns, RBC has granted planning permission with conditions to be met before it opens. These include the sympathetic appearance and construction of the new boundary fence which will keep the children safe onsite, the addition of new ‘School Keep Clear’ road markings and signage* plus a sustainable ‘travel plan’ for the school.
No structural changes to the historic building are planned, nor additional construction in its substantial grounds, with Polaris utilizing the existing layout to provide a number of classrooms, therapy rooms, activity space and office areas. However, a security film will be installed on the bottom of many of the original, low windows to satisfy health and safety concerns.
If all goes to plan, the new Easthorpe School is set to open in October 2022.
More details about this Ruddington planning application and approval can be found >>HERE<<.
*UPDATE: It’s been announced by VIA East Midlands that this work will take place on Wednesday 15th February 2023 from 9.30am to 3.00pm. Two-way temporary traffic lights will be in place on the A60 Loughborough Road outside Cherubs Day Nursery until it is completed.
