A scheme to transform a community centre into a facility for educating children with special educational needs (SEN) will be ruled on by Isle of Wight councillors.
New Forest Care’s proposal for a change of use of St Andrews Community Centre on St Andrews Street in Cowes will be considered by County Hall’s planning committee next Tuesday (13th October 2026).
What is being proposed
The planned use is intended to provide schooling for a small number of students, with up to ten children present at any one time, according to a statement from the applicant’s agent, Spruce Town Planning.
Officers recommend approval
A council report recommends the application be granted permission subject to conditions on managing flood risks as well as complying with planning policy and legislation.
It says,
“The proposed development would re-use a vacant building to provide much needed SEN provision in a sustainable location which would have no unacceptable impacts on the character of the area, neighbouring properties, highway safety or flood risk.”
Applicant’s case
Spruce Town Planning previously told County Hall the proposal is justified due to the potential to help meet educational needs within the town and to provide employment for staff.
Island Roads and Cowes Town Council have raised no objection to the application.
Planning committee councillors will meet to discuss proposal 26/00965/FUL from 4pm at County Hall on 13th October 2026.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
