New school for autistic children given go-ahead

Blaby District Council approved plans for the new school

A new school for children with autism has been approved by planning officers.

Located in the village of Kilby in Leicestershire, it will have a maximum of 20 pupils and up to 14 full-time equivalent staff roles.

Applicant Sophia Mooncey owns the building - Glebe House on Main Street - which she said she believed was ideally suited to being a school for pupils with special needs due to its "serene" countryside location.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said Kilby Parish Council raised concerns over congestion around the nearby primary school being exacerbated by the scheme, but the plans were approved by Blaby District Council.

In her application, Dr Mooncey said the school’s start and finish times would be different from those typical to mainstream schools to help minimise the impact of extra cars on the roads at peak journey times.

Leicestershire County Council, which is the local highways authority, said the impact on the road network "would not be severe".

The LDRS said there would be no external changes to the building apart from the installation of a new access ramp.

A total of 26 car parking spaces will be created at the site and bike racks will be installed.