Part of former Syngenta site in Yalding proposed as home for new Quest School for children with autism

A school for children with autism is planning a move so that it can take on more pupils.

The Quest School is currently based at the Hop Farm Country Park in Beltring, near Paddock Wood, where its 38 staff look after 27 students.

But demand for places at the school, which was rated “outstanding” by Ofsted at its last inspection in November 2022, is growing.

It has submitted a planning application to Maidstone council seeking permission for the change of use of an office block at the former Syngenta chemicals site in Yalding to form a new school that could take up to 40 pupils.

They would be supported by 65 staff.

The site, which measures just over a hectare, lies off the B2162 Hampstead Lane to the north, and has the Medway Valley Railway Line on its western border.

The scheme would see only internal alterations to the existing three-storey office block, but would include the creation of a 65-space car park.

The applicants expect that with car sharing, the staff would probably use around 55 of those spaces, and the remaining 10 could be used by visitors.

Five of the planned parking spaces will be disabled bays.

All the school’s pupils have an education, health and care plan (ECHP) and consequently, places are agreed and funded by the local authority.

Because the pupils, who will be aged between five and 19, all have special needs, it is anticipated that the vast majority will arrive by taxi.

The school plans an in-and-out drop-off system and says there will be staff present to marshal the arrivals and departures.

The site is accessed through the former Syngenta Works, which is now planned to become the Yalding Enterprise Park, with permission already granted for a number of industrial units.

Although the school’s agents argue that the traffic generated by the new use would be less than that allowed under the building’s current permitted use, there could be some concerns about road safety.

The agents’ own research has found that in the five years up to December 31, 2022 (the most recent period with data available) there have been nine injury accidents on Hampstead Lane, resulting in 12 casualties.

The nearest accident occurred approximately 400m from the site entry.

The Quest School is a not-for-profit registered charity, founded in September 2003, to provide specialist education and complementary therapies for pupils who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

It has operated at the Hop Farm, near Paddock Wood, since 2014, but it only has temporary planning permission there, which is due to expire this year.

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Details of the Quest school application can be found on the Maidstone council website. Look for application number 24/505202.