PLANS to build a school for children with autism in Workington have been given the go-ahead by planners.

Cumbria Academy for Autism is due to open in September next year on the site of the former Westlands Hotel on the outskirts of the town.

Allerdale council has now approved plans for the building, which will sit between Workington Golf Club and Fairways residential home, close to the Lillyhall industrial estate.

Work is expected to start on site in early autumn and the team behind the project is working hard in the background to pull together everything that needs to be done ahead of the opening.

Lynne Thornton, who is leading the group behind the project, said: "It's a significant stage in the process and a real achievement but there is an enormous amount of work that's still to be undertaken.”

“There are several important milestones throughout the development stage. A key milestone will be the signing of the funding agreement by the Secretary of State, which we expect will happen in late spring 2019, subject to the Trust fulfilling their statutory duties in this pre-opening phase.”

Planning permission has come nearly four years after a group of parents first put forward plans with Cumbria County Council to develop a specialist school for children with autism.

Education Secretary Justine Greening approved the bid for the new free school in September 2016.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency, which finances school building projects, acquired the site and submitted plans to Allerdale council for the school.

The project has been led by Lynne, of Little Broughton, who has two children with autism, with retired headteacher Gillian Hartley. Around 15 volunteers with relevant professional expertise are working on the project as governors, trust members and steering group members.

Work is now under way on the detailed design work for the school, including the internal finishes.

The recruitment process for the headteacher has begun, and a team of teachers and teaching assistants will be appointed throughout next year in preparation for opening.

Work is also being done to develop the school's policies, financial processes and governance procedures.

A statutory consultation is set to be held later this year, prior to the funding agreement for the school being finalised.

Lynne said: "There is extensive activity behind the scenes. The individuals involved have gone beyond the remit of a governor or trustee’s role and have committed significant time and expertise to the project thus far"

The school will eventually cater for up to 56 children aged from four to 19, with no more than eight pupils to a class.

It is a requirement for free schools to start with a smaller number of pupils and work towards capacity. It is still to be confirmed which year groups Cumbria Academy for Autism will initially teach.

Admissions arrangements are currently being developed with the Local Education Authority and the Department for Education.

The proposed school aims to bridge the gap which exists for student with autism, between existing mainstream schools and those which cater for children with complex needs.

It will provide an academic, life skills and therapeutic curriculum.

As well as traditional facilities, it is hoped the school will include a life skills flat to teach pupils how to live independently, a cafe-style dining area to teach young people how to order food and handle money, and a studio which will use virtual reality and immersive technology to help them learn to navigate their communities.

The site has been empty since the Westlands Hotel was demolished in 2009.

The hotel, which opened in 1972, was once one of the most luxurious hotels in the area and was visited by the Queen.

It closed in December 2005 and the derelict building was gutted by fire in November 2008 before being knocked down the following year.