A PLAN to extend a Bromsgrove school to help students receive a vital therapy has been given the green light.

A planning application was submitted in August by Chadsgrove School to extend and make alterations to its existing building to create an office, extended classroom and wheelchair store.

Bromsgrove District Council granted the application to the Catshill school, which caters for pupils aged 2–19 years with special educational needs arising from their physical disability or complex health needs, on October 20.

Planning documents state the extension is necessary as room is needed for aerosol generating procedures to be carried out for pupils who require it safely.

The procedures are for therapies that create respiratory secretions, such as help for people with tracheotomies.

Since the pandemic hit, tough national ventilation and isolation rules have been enforced on the procedures which meant the school had to utilise its staff room for the purpose.

Now the plan has been granted, five spaces will be provided for the therapies to take place safely and will also allow for the rehousing of all displaced staff.

Planning document granting permission states: "The extensions are required to enable the school to provide suitable facilities for certain therapies which generate aerosols to be carried out safely in ventilated spaces.

"The Coronavirus pandemic made these therapies difficult for staff to preform safely and resulting in a temporary measure of the staff room being utilised for this purpose.

"However, given the current indication from the Public Health England that the UK population will need to live with the virus for the foreseeable future, a more permanent solution is required."

The document continues: "It is also noted that the proposal is for the provision of essential education facilities that cannot be provided elsewhere."

Worcestershire Highways raised no objections to the scheme.