PLANS have been lodged for a new care home on the outskirts of a coastal town catering for up to five young people with special educational needs.

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department to carry out the conversion at The Grove in Dalton Piercy.

The move would see the six-bedroom house become a care home, while a new single storey building would be built to educate the young people living at the site.

Submitted by Jonathan Halfpenny, from The Witherslack Group, proposals say the development would create 28 jobs, including 22 for care staff, a full-time therapist, and five teaching staff.

A planning statement from Cushman and Wakefield, on behalf of the applicant, outlines how the proposals have ‘clear benefits’ for young people with special educational needs in the area.

It said: “The care home will provide accommodation for up to five young people with special educational needs who are unable to thrive within a mainstream environment.

“This facility is designed for a specialist client group who need a peaceful, quiet location.

“The proposals will deliver a crucial social and educational facility providing greater educational choice and a high level of care.”

The statement adds The Witherslack Group places great emphasis on the ‘team around the child’ with high staff ratios.

The care home off Dalton Piercy Road would be staffed 24 hours a day by experienced staff, and open 52 weeks a year, according to the plans.

The school element of the proposals will run 38 weeks of the year and will be for young people living at the site only.

The planning statement said: “Education will take place in a purpose built one storey building allowing for a flexible and innovative curriculum designed to meet the educational, social and therapeutic needs of the young people living there.

“The site is considered ideal in that it is rural, peaceful and in itself therapeutic.”

The Witherslack Group operates specialist schools, children’s homes, and vocational training centres across the country, and now provides care and education for over 1,150 young people.

A decision is expected to be made on the proposals by the council planning department by the end of next month.