CONTROVERSIAL plans to convert a former office block into a pupil referral unit were discussed at a meeting of Speen Parish Council last Wednesday, November 18.
West Berkshire Council’s children and young persons’ unit has applied for official permission for a change of use at Richmond House in Bath Road.
The building is currently empty.
Angry residents have claimed that the council only contacted one adjoining property to inform them of the proposals.
Councillor Lou Warner told the meeting: “What is proposed is quite a significant change of use. If approved, it could eventually be a mosque, synagogue or church - many things fall into the proposed category.
“The applicant has spoken to one local resident and that’s hardly proper consultation.”
One member of the public read a statement on behalf of the nearby community which said the proposals were being “rushed through” and demanded to know: “What are the council’s long term plans for the building?”
Mr Warner added: “It would be unfair to impose this on local, mainly elderly residents in a conservation area. It would be pretty distressing for them.”
The proposed clients, pupils who have all been permanently excluded from mainstream schools, are currently based at The Priory in Thatcham.
West Berkshire Council spokesman Phil Spray has said there are currently 15 pupils attending the unit and they all have personalised timetables which means they start and finish at different times throughout the day.
He added: “West Berkshire Council has a statutory duty, under the Education and Inspections Act 2006, to make suitable arrangements for permanently excluded pupils.
”Students will mainly arrive on site by taxi and will be supervised at all times by staff who are very experienced in working with young people with the specific needs of this group and a high staff-to-student ratio operates within the unit.”
The plans state that the unit would be open from 8.30am until 4pm on weekdays, and would employ five full time and eight part time staff.
The pupils that would be educated there are unable to access any mainstream educational provision within West Berkshire due to their vulnerability and emotional, social and behavioural needs, according to the council.
A public meeting has been scheduled for 7pm on Monday in the Speen Village Hall.
West Berkshire Council representatives will then have a chance to make their case to local residents and all are welcome to attend.