A VICTORIAN building in Hipperholme is to be converted into a residential school for children with special education needs.

Approval has been given to change Amisfield House off Leeds Road into a small SEN school for up to nine pupils.

The building, which dates back to the late 1800s, was most recently used as an office, and still contains a number of historic architectural features, although it is not a listed building.

Young Foundations, an organisation which specialises in residential services for children and young people with complex needs, is behind the application, having already bought the property.

It offers specialist placements to children who may have suffered trauma or who have attachment based problems.

Described as a three-storey building with a basement, and a separate annex building which is two storey in height. Key internal features include a lantern skylight over a central galley staircase, as well as intricate ceiling roses and cornicing.

Of the conversion itself, Young Foundations wants to have a "minimal impact" on the original building, and will create eight bedrooms and two classrooms within the property.

Accessible entrances will be provided to both the main building and the basement, with the annex converted to accommodate one person on the ground floor, and a separate entrance to the first floor staff accommodation.

Windows in both the main building and the annex would be upgraded with acoustic glazing and acoustic trickle vents to "help address the noise generated from Leeds Road".

New 1.8m high metail railings would be added to the garden side of the property to make the garden safe for the children, which will match the existing railings to the sanctuary garden.

The only building work as part of the development will be to extend the ground floor of the annex into the area currently taken up by a car port.

Internally within the main building, existing doors and openings will be retained where possible, but the openings to the lounge and dining room have been increased, and in the residential school all doors will include 926mm wide doors.

A report as part of the planning application to Calderdale Council states: "Young Foundations are the preferred provider of residential services for a number of local authorities and have a proven track record.

"Young Foundations excellent outcomes and flexible approach is highly valued by those who commission their service with the hope of

leading to successful community living through appropriate support."

It adds: "Their creative and nurturing approach focuses on each individual and delivers a targeted programme of support specifically designed around them.

"Highly skilled and dedicated staff provide a caring and homely environment where every child and young person can enjoy a safe and healthy lifestyle while benefitting from the expertise across our comprehensive range of services."