Autistic school given go-ahead

Plans to open a school for children with autism in Shrewsbury have been approved despite objections.

Young Options will turn Shropshire County Council Trading Standards offices, in Shrewsbury, into a residential school.

The plan attracted almost 50 letters of objection from residents claiming the school would result in increased traffic, noise and a possible reduction in house prices.

Members of Shropshire County Council's development control committee approved the scheme on the casting vote of the chairman.

Boundary reinforced

The centre, at The Limes in Belle Vue Road, will cater for 24 children up to the age of 16.

Young Options, which operates a number of schools including one at Cruckton Hall, will extend the building to provide classrooms and bedrooms along with a separate six-bedroom group home.

Governors from nearby Coleham Primary School said they had no objection to the scheme, but wanted the boundary surrounding the proposed site reinforced.

They also wanted assurances that the new facility will only be used for autistic pupils.