The proposed development for a new 'satellite' school for autistic children in Chester has been refused.

Plans submitted by the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance, and the University of Chester, sought to turn former university offices into a small satellite facility serving up to 30 pupils. 

The site on Liverpool Road sits within a predominately residential area, and would have been used in conjunction with the applicant's independent Maple Grove School, which caters for autistic children aged between five and 18. 

Maple Grove supports children developing core life skills such as communication, sensory processing and emotional regulation. 

The new school would have provided employment for around 25 staff, some of whom would split between the site and Maple Grove School. 

However, issues were raised with on-site parking and traffic congestion.

Cheshire West and Chester council refused the application.

The report said: "The local planning authority considers that the proposed development is unacceptable. 

The proposed floorplan for the satellite school in Chester (Image via: Planning application)

"The application fails to demonstrate how the proposal would make safe provision for access to and from the site for all users of the development, including the provision of access to adopted highways."

Further criticism of the application concerned movement of vehicles within the site. 

It said: "The application also fails to demonstrate how the proposal would allow for safe movement within the site, including sufficient manoeuvring and standing space for the appropriate number and size of vehicles likely to serve the development at any one time.

"The proposal would fail to provide sufficient parking facilities to serve the needs of the development."

In the submitted application, it stated the new school would have helped meet both existing and future needs for specialist education in the Chester area. 

It said: "This would reduce the number of children needing to travel out of area to find an appropriate education environment and reduce overcrowding in existing settings.

"The proposed education use would provide about 25 direct jobs and would, therefore, create more than double the amount of employment at the site.

"This would make a significant meaningful contribution to employment opportunities and the diversity of opportunities in the town."

The report highlighted a number of benefits, such as improved education outcomes and life prospects for pupils, and provision of additional employment opportunities for local people, both short term and long term.

Proposed block plan of the site on Liverpool Road (Image via: Planning application)

Public feedback to the planning application raised traffic as one issue. 

One local resident said: "Car parking space on site is limited. There is no space for any outdoor activity. 

"Liverpool Road is already usually very busy with traffic both going into and out of Chester. 

"It is sandwiched between the traffic lights outside n.o 69 Liverpool Road, and the pedestrian crossing outside Barons Court, making it rather awkward.

"The proposed change of use as a school for special needs teenagers is quite different. 

"There would be 30 pupils and 25 staff, making a total of 55 people in all who would be there throughout the school day. 

"They would thus inevitably have a considerable impact on the people living around them."

The applicant has the right to appeal the refusal.

You can find the application here.