St James House, Overcliffe, Gravesend, could become Pierview Academy SEN school if plans approved

An empty office block could become a special educational needs (SEN) academy.

Plans have been drawn up to change the use of St James House in Gravesend into a state-funded school.

The building along the Overcliffe has been used as an office since 2008 but has stood empty since last year when chartered accountants Carley Partnership relocated.

Tower Group Developments is now asking whether prior approval is needed to change its use from commercial, business and services, hotels and residential institutions to a state-funded school.

It plans to repurpose the building into a full-time SEN facility for students with complex learning needs.

The applicant has identified Pierview Academy as the site’s intended operator as it already has an independent school in East Crescent Road, Gravesend, for students aged 11 to 25 with an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

The school, which is part of the ALP education group, was founded to cater for pupils with complex needs who have struggled in mainstream settings and focuses on smaller class sizes and tailored learning plans.

Although it is an independent school, it receives funding from council placements to support students with an EHCP.

According to the submitted planning statement, if the proposals are approved, Pierview Academy will relocate to St James House allowing it to increase its capacity and improve its learning environment.

It added: “The proposed development will deliver a well-considered and highly beneficial use for the local community through the establishment of a state-funded SEN school.

“The use of this centrally located and sustainably accessed building for educational purposes aligns with the government’s wider objectives to improve educational infrastructure and to make better use of existing buildings.”

While Pierview Academy is the intended operator, the plans have been written to provide flexibility for future use by another state-funded school without needing another planning application.

The planning statement added: “This ensures that the site can continue to be used for educational purposes in the long term, supporting the delivery of specialist educational services within the borough.”

If approved, only internal alterations will be made to convert the existing office layout into a school and create classrooms with learning aids and technology.

It will see a dining room, offices, meeting rooms and storage rooms created on the lower ground floor and a reception area, a science laboratory and three classrooms on the ground floor.

The first floor will be converted into offices, three more classrooms and a conference room for group activities while the second floor will accommodate two classrooms, a one-too-one room for personalised learning and storage space.

There is already designated, off-street parking at the back of the building which will be kept for staff and visitors.

According to the planning statement, materials containing asbestos have been identified in the office block which are either low or medium risk and those where removal is recommended will be “managed through professional remediation measures”.

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

A decision on the plans is expected by Thursday, May 22.