Plans approved for communications and interaction unit at Elveden Church of England Primary Academy, near Thetford

Plans for a communications and interaction unit for children with special educational needs have been approved.

The new unit is to be built within the site of Elveden Church of England Primary Academy, which is located on the Elveden Estate, near Thetford.

Yesterday, the full planning application by the school was approved by West Suffolk Council, with conditions.

The proposal also includes air source heat pumps, a substation, fencing and alterations to the car park to create additional spaces.

Secure cycle spaces for eight bikes would also be provided and the car park area would be resurfaced.

A planning and design and access statement with the application said the proposed unit would provide 18 students with special educational needs a space for communications and interaction development.

It continued: The proposed building will be used for general teaching within the two classrooms as well as targeted therapy sessions and smaller group intervention within the two group/therapy spaces.

“A space for the students to dine in is provided, which is a provision that the main school will not otherwise be able to provide. This space also doubles up as an interactions and breakout centre making use of the pocket tables.”

The new unit will replace an existing outbuilding and be located within land previously used as a bowls hut on the eastern half of the school site, in London Road.

The existing bowls hut and small storage shed located on site are to be demolished to accommodate the new facility.

Overall, the building will measure about 11.2m in depth, 20.7m in length, 3.6m to the eaves and 5.8m to the ridge.

The plans were amended to remove solar panels from the roof following comments from the conservation officer, and also in light of their comments the height of the proposed boundary fencing was reduced from 2.1m to 1.6m.

The site sits within the Conservation Area and within the Special Protection Area (SPA) for Stone Curlew and Woodlark and Nightjar buffer zone.

The planning officer delegated report said: “With regard to the fencing the reduction is obviously welcomed and any harm caused will be reduced particularly if, in part, it is screened by planting.”