PLANS have been put forward to transform a luxury hotel into a new school in the Thornbury area. Education provider Witherslack Group has submitted plans to open an SEN school at boutique hotel and conference centre Old Church Farm in Rudgeway. If approved, the school would be open to 50 pupils aged five to 12 with a range of complex learning needs.
In planning documents, the applicant says the current hotel owners want to ‘wind-down’ their existing operations. The hotel, which has eight rooms, was previously owned by Rolls-Royce until 2017 and has been recognised as an AA 5 Star luxury accommodation for six years running. The change of use application was submitted to South Gloucestershire Council last week.
According to the application, the school would operate from 8am to 6pm between Monday to Friday with pupils attending between 8.30am to 3.30pm.
It is believed 40 full-time jobs could be created if plans are approved. It comes as the same applicant opened a new SEN school known as Castlefell School also in Rudgeway off the A38 earlier this year in April. Other proposals include installing fencing and gates, putting in a MUGA, creating five new bike spaces plus extending the existing car park to 45 spaces including eight EV charging points.
In addition, a bungalow on the site would be demolished and replaced with a single-storey teaching block. Other proposed works also include installing a hardstanding play area and an educational kitchen garden with raised beds and f.