New school plan for community centre site

The proposed school could accommodate 88 pupils

A new school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) could be created in Market Harborough.

The Aurora Group has submitted a planning application to Harborough District Council to convert the Roman Way Community Centre into a SEND school.

According to planning documents the proposed school would accommodate 88 pupils aged between five and 19 and employ about 64 members of staff.

The move comes after mobility scooter service charity Shopmobility, which previously worked out of the community centre, closed in February after the premises was put up for sale by Leicestershire County Council.

The group has stated the centre would provide "much-needed" school places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

The proposed school would consist of 11 classrooms, a multi-use games area and an outdoor play area.

A planning statement adds: "There is a clear evidenced demand for this type of school in the local area and the proposals make use of a vacant site which no longer supports the community."

The Aurora Group operates 19 schools and supports more than 1,200 children, young people and adults across England.