A special needs school in Wallsend seeks to expand its facilities- but some residents fear the new building will create traffic chaos and plunge their homes into darkness.
North Tyneside Council aims to construct an additional building to create extra facilities at Beacon Hill School.
These extra facilities include:
- Eight classrooms for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Two classrooms for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties
- Additional sensory and hygiene rooms
Read More: New special primary school for children with additional needs to be built in South Tyneside
The proposed facility, located in the school's current car park, stands 7.5m tall. A replacement car park, pending approval, would be constructed west of the school on unused grass and play facilities.
Council documents state the new facility would mean the school would no longer have to share resources with the nearby Langdale Centre.
Councillors have been recommended to approve the application by planning officers.
However, some residents oppose the project claiming it will exacerbate traffic problems and block out sunlight in their homes.
One objector took to the authority's online planning portal and said: "This development will cause loss of light to my property and privacy and also the roads are already unsafe around school times because of traffic and cars using our avenue as a rat run, this will get worse."
Another wrote: "I am objecting to this application because of a loss of light to my property and because of what this would mean in terms of traffic and parking."
Whilst North Tyneside Council has noted these complaints, council officers do not believe the project poses unreasonable strains on locals.
Council documents state: "The proposed new building will be located at least 26m from the boundary with the front gardens of the dwellings to the north at Rising Sun Cottages. Whilst it acknowledged that the new building will be located to the south of these dwellings and it will be visible, it is considered that a sufficient separation distance will remain in order to ensure that outlook, daylight, sunlight and privacy are not compromised to an unacceptable level for the occupants of these dwellings."
Councillors will gather at the council's Cobalt HQ to decide on the application on March 14, 2023, at 10am.
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