WHILST Herefordshire Council is currently consulting on the possibility of using the Ryefield Centre in Ross-on-Wye as a special educational needs school, the local authority is seeking a certificate of lawfulness in readiness for it to take on the new role.

The Ryefield Centre was originally constructed as a grammar school in the early 20th century before later forming part of the wider John Kyrle High School campus.

The educational use of the site continued until the late 1990s, following which the building accommodated a range of occupiers and activities. These uses have since ceased and the building is largely vacant.

The building is currently in the ownership of Herefordshire Council and is not listed or located within a conservation area.

The current application is for a lawful development certificate for use of the building as a special educational needs school and for any external alterations that may be required, which are compliantwith permitted development.

The proposed development comprises of a series of external repairs, general refurbishment to enable it to be configured for use as a special educational needs school.

The works principally relate to the repair and upgrading of the external envelope of the existing building and includes works to the roof, including replacement coverings, new waterproofing to flat roof areas, rooflights or sun tunnels, and re-coating of corrugated metal roof areas along with the repair or replacement of rainwater goods, windows and external doors where required.

Overall, the works are focused on the repair, renewal and upgrading of the existing building fabric. They would not involve substantial new built form and would not materially alter the overall character of the building.

The proposed special educational needs school use is educational in nature and accordingly, the proposed occupation of the centre would not result in a material change of use and would not constitute development requiring planning permission. The council is not accepting any comments on this planning application.

Herefordshire Council is currently seeking views on whether a special educational needs school should be established in Ross after it identified the need to increase local specialist education provision in the county.

Statutory guidance states the council must consult on whether a new school should be established before it can move to any later process for seeking proposals about who might run the school.

Currently, existing special schools across the county are working with the council to support pupils above their commissioned numbers, and there is continuing demand for provision that can meet complex learning profiles locally.

The proposal is intended to help children have their needs met closer to home, reduce the need for out-of-area placements, reduce long journey times where possible, and strengthen the range of specialist provision available to families in Herefordshire.

It is hoped that the school would provide long-term special education for children aged four to 11 with significant, complex and pervasive special educational needs.

Send your views on whether the proposed school should be opened, via Herefordshire Council’s consultation webpage or by email [email protected] by noon on October 2.