PROPOSALS to create a new facility for children with autism have been given the green light by Bradford Council.

Last year the Council agreed to spend £6.1m on increasing capacity at Bingley Grammar School by 150 pupils. The investment would also include the creation of a new education facility for 24 pupils with special educational needs to be based at the school.

This new facility would be specifically for pupils with communication and interaction needs including Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

The plans went out to public consultation, and this week came back before the Council's Executive to get final approval.

A report to the Executive said the percentage increase in the number of children and young people with an Education, Health and Care plan for the Bradford District between 2017 and 2021 was 14.6 per cent, much higher than the national figure (10.2 per cent).

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It also said the school had admitted at least 30 more children a year into its Year 7 class than it currently had capacity for.

The investment in the school would help with this pressure on the mainstream provision, as well as providing a much needed boost in SEND places in the Shipley constituency.

At the Executive meeting on Tuesday Emma Hamer, Intelligence & Sufficiency Strategic Manager, said: "We have delivered in excess of 800 SEND places across the last four years.

"We're asking for approval to move forward with the establishment of a 24 place facility for children with Autism to be based at Bingley Grammar.

"The consultation resulted in some very positive responses in relation to the development.

"Any problems highlighted related to issues like parking, which can be dealt with at the planning stage."

Councillor Imran Khan, Executive for Education, said: "This proposal will ensure that more children are able to stay in their local community for their education."

The proposals were then unanimously approved.