The Warrington Borough Council has approved plans for an educational facility to be established within the Peace Centre building. The Peace Foundation, created in memory of two young boys who lost their lives in an IRA bombing in 1993, will occupy space within the building for office use and activities.
The proposed facility will cater to post-16 and post-19 students with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It will include classrooms, multi-purpose spaces, and external facilities such as a walking track, horticultural area, playground, and parking for mini-buses. The expansion of staff parking and drop-off areas is also part of the plan.
Louise Atkin, speaking in support of the application, emphasized the need for the building to be utilized to its full potential, especially considering its history of hosting events for young people in the past. The central location of the Peace Centre makes it accessible for families and aligns with the council’s accessibility strategy.
The committee has expressed its intention to grant planning permission, pending approval from the Health and Safety Executive. If there are no significant objections following a notification period, the development manager will be authorized to make necessary changes to planning conditions before final approval.
The conversion of the existing Peace Centre building into an educational facility is seen as acceptable, despite the loss of a basketball court for additional parking. The report to the committee assures that there will be no adverse impacts on visual or residential amenity, flood risk, trees, or the local highway network.
Overall, the establishment of an educational facility within the Peace Centre building is a positive step towards providing specialized support for students with SEND in Warrington. It honors the memory of the young lives lost in the tragic bombing and ensures that the building continues to serve the community in a meaningful way. The central location and enhanced facilities will make it a valuable resource for families and young people in the area.
