A SPECIALIST autism college will be developed after proposals were given the green light by the council.

An application to change the use of the site, on Lancots Lane, from office and storage to use as an educational building has been approved, subject to conditions.

The conditions include the number of pupils enrolled at the school not exceeding 60 at any time.

What will the new college involve?

A planning statement states that ASCENT College, on Lancots Lane, will be an autism specialist college aimed at providing students with an opportunity to develop their employability, social, communication skills while “building their resilience and independence through accredited learning pathways and experiential learning”.

It says the site will be an education and training development provision, “meeting the needs of autistic individuals, with co-occurring neurodiversity needs”.

The application site relates to a two-storey commercial building located on the corner of Lancots Lane with Robins Lane, according to the officer report.

It adds: “The building was previously occupied by Torus, for use as office accommodation. The wider area consists of a mixture of commercial and residential units.

“The car park facility to the northern part of the site has been fenced-off and is in use by another commercial unit, whilst the remaining parking spaces would be used by the occupier of the proposed change of use.

“The building will be an education and training development provision, meeting the needs of autistic individuals, with co-occurring neurodiversity needs.

“The building will aim to train and educate students so they can gain employment and lead independent lifestyles to support happy and fulfilled lives.

Who will it employ?

“There will be approximately 40 full-time and 3 part-time staff, and 60 students on-site across the provision at different times of the week.

“The building will accommodate students post-16 years old. Opening and closing times will vary due to the timetable of classes.”