Plans have now been formally submitted for a new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school and two children’s care homes in Keynsham.
Charlton House in Keynsham
The application by Bath & North East Somerset Council involves changing the use of Charlton House in Hawthorns Lane.
Charlton House was an adult care nursing home until it closed in March 2024. Hawthorn Court, which forms the eastern side of the building, still operates as a care home and provides extra care facilities. It is unaffected by the plans.
The new day school will be for 30 pupils aged 11 to 18 and the two self-contained care homes will each cater for four children with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs.
The school will be located on the ground floor and the residential accommodation will be on the first floor.
The school will contain a number of specialist provisions including specialist classrooms, therapy and sensory spaces and calm break-out areas linked to landscape sensory and active gardens.
The application says: “The Charlton House proposals represent a carefully considered and highly important project that responds to an urgent and well?evidenced local need for specialist SEND education and residential provision within Bath & North East Somerset.
“By re-purposing a vacant former care home, the scheme will deliver high?quality, local facilities for children and young people with complex needs, enabling them to remain close to their families and communities while reducing reliance on costly and less effective out?of?area placements.
“In doing so, the development supports both improved educational and social outcomes for vulnerable young people and the council’s wider strategic and financial objectives.”
Anyone wishing to view the plans in detail and comment can search for the reference 26/00538/FUL on the council’s planning portal. The deadline for comments is 26th March.
