A HAMPSHIRE school for children with special educational needs has submitted plans to replace its main building following a serious fire two years ago.
The blaze at Fair Ways School in New Road, Swanwick, resulted in the building being replaced with a temporary complex comprising pre-fabricated classrooms.
Proposals to convert and extend a nearby cottage have now been dropped in favour of plans to provide a brand-new facility.
The application says: "The fire caused the near total destruction of accommodation on the first floor of the school, as well as extensive internal damage to the ground floor.
"Parts of the ground floor have now been brought back into use.
"However, the roof has not yet been properly repaired or extended and the ground floor is currently only used by staff.
"Following the fire, a temporary facility was constructed behind the original school buildings in September 2021 using 16 modular classroom units.
"The fire has caused Fair Ways to re-evaluate how education and accommodation is provided on the site.
"This has highlighted that the transfer of the school to Manor Farm Cottage is far from desirable. The development now proposed is an alternative to that scheme and involves a new school building."
The application says the original building will be retained as staff facilities.
Fair Ways is seeking consent to build a two-storey replacement with single-storey wings extending to the side and back. The scheme also includes a small courtyard.
Opened in 2006, the school caters for children with complex emotional, behavioural, and mental health problems that prevent them from using mainstream education.
It already has 20 pupils and hopes the proposed new building will enable it to accept more referrals.
The application says: "The fire caused Fair Ways to reconsider the options for education and, whilst a temporary school facility was provided in September 2021, a permanent solution is needed.
"The details now proposed will address the traffic issues previously associated with the site.
"Whilst the school will involve building in the countryside, on a field with some ecological value, the application will address this with the removal of temporary areas of hardstanding."
The accidental blaze broke out on a Friday evening in July 2021.
Crews from eight fire stations - Botley, Eastleigh, Fareham, Hamble, Hightown, Portchester, St Mary's and Wickham were sent to the scene after a bin fire spread.
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