A historic former school building in Harehills is set to return to educational use after plans were approved by Leeds City Council.
Part of the ground floor of the Shine building on Harehills Road will be used as a new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school. The Grade II-listed building dates back to the 19th century and was previously home to Harehills Middle School.
The new provision will be operated by East Leeds Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC), which supports 14 to 19-year-olds with complex SEND. The council approved a planning application to change the use of part of the ground floor.
A council planning report said the proposal would bring a state-funded SEND school into a building that was originally designed for education. It said: “The proposed change of use would introduce a state-funded SEND school within a limited area of the ground floor of the Shine building, which itself was originally a school.”
Highways officers initially raised concerns about road safety during pupil drop-off and pick-up times.
However, the council said traffic movements would take place over relatively short periods and a car park management plan had been prepared.
East SILC also uses local authority-managed transport arrangements, including dedicated transport for pupils with special educational needs.
A design report submitted with the application said this would reduce reliance on private cars and limit the impact on surrounding roads and parking. The report said: “East SILC operates with local authority managed transport arrangements, including dedicated SEN transport services. This significantly limits reliance on private car travel and reduces impacts on local parking and highways.”
The new provision will allow East SILC to expand its support for young people with complex additional needs.
The council said reusing part of the existing building would also provide a suitable community use for the listed site.
The planning report concluded: “The proposal represents a sustainable form of development, re-using existing units within the Shine building for an appropriate community purpose.”
