SEND school at Chapel End Early Years Centre, Walthamstow, London E17

“261097 Applicant: [the applicant] of Waltham Forest Location: Chapel End Early Years Centre, Brookscroft Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 4LH Proposed development: Change of use from Early Years Centre for (Use Class F1(a)) to Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) school. Wards affected: Chapel End Appendices: None…”

“The application seeks planning permission for the change of the school from an Early Years Centre to a Special Educational Needs School (SEND). The maximum capacity of the school will be up to 40 pupils with 32 staff. The site will be open to staff from 05:30 to 18:00 Monday to Friday with pupils arriving from 07:45 and leaving by 18:00. 5.”

“That Planning Permission be GRANTED subject to conditions and informatives. REASONS REFFERED TO COMMITTEE 2.1 The case has been referred to Committee due to the applicant being the Council. SITE AND SURROUNDING AREA 3.1 The application relates to Chapel End Early Years Centre at Brookscroft Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 4LH.”

“Pedestrian and vehicle access is provided via two separate gates on Brookscroft Road. To the east and the south of the site is the Sir George Monoux College, and to the west and north there are residential properties. There is a carpark to the rear of the site for use of the School only. The site has a Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) rating of 2.”

“Part C of Policy S3 states that development proposals should ensure that there is no net loss of education or childcare facilities, unless it can be demonstrated that there is no ongoing or future need. This is also reflected in policy 47 of the Waltham Forest Local Plan (2024). The historic use of the site has been as an infant school and early years centre.”

“In conclusion, the proposal would ensure the provision of much needed SEND pupil places to meet the demand in the Borough for the range of school places required without compromising the existing educational provision for the early year’s pupils.”

“The school is to remain as existing without any physical alterations which require planning permission, or any extensions. The school has existing benefits from a large site with range of internal and external facilities which creates a welcoming and safe environment for learning.”

“05:30 to 18:00 Monday to Friday with pupils arriving from 07:45 and leaving by 18:00. Overall, opening times remain the same as current operations. There are no physical alternations involved with the proposal to create new amenity impacts by way of overlooking, shadowing, loss of sunlight or privacy concerns. The use of the site as a SEND school for 40 pupils would be of smaller scale and intensity than the former infant school and early years centre (180 pupils).”

“There is no enforcement history for this site. PUBLIC CONSULTATION (i) Pre-application stage 6.1 The applicant undertook their own public engagement exercise, as set out in section 3.0 of the Planning Statement.”

“Environmental Health No comments received. Public Health No comments received. Waste Management No comments received. Education and Schools This is the applicant team. No comments received. Table 5: Summary of External Comments External Consultee Comment Received London Fire Brigade No observation to make of the proposal. Metropolitan Police In support of the proposal and would want to ensure that development meets Secure by Design requirements. 7.”

“RESOLVED: That planning permission be GRANTED in line with the recommendations, conditions, reasons and informatives as detailed in the committee report for application 261097 for change of use from Early Years Centre for (Use Class F1(a)) to Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) school.”