A PLAN for a specialist unit creating 60 places for children on the autistic spectrum has been revealed by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

The £4.3 million single-storey building with 10 classrooms will be built on the former Crosshill School site in Shadsworth.

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The unit will tackle a shortfall in the council’s provision for children with autism and Asperger’s syndrome.

It is expected to open in May next year.

In August 2014, there were 82 pupils in its mainstream and special schools but another 23 had to be sent to schools, both local authority and independent, outside the borough.

The adjacent Newfield special school provides places for 38 pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The development was unveiled to the council’s executive board last night, by education boss Dave Harling.

It will be part of Newfield, offering 22 new places for pupils with ASD and incorporate the existing 38 at the school.

This will offer families provision in the borough rather than going out of the borough or using to costly independent provision.elsewhere Wendy Yeo, Blackburn with Darwen branch officer for the National Autistic Society, welcomed the move, saying: “This is a very good development. It is a sign that the borough council is recognising the need for increasing school provision for children on the spectrum.”

Cllr Harling revealed his department had considered a cheaper option, remodelling the former Crosshill School building, but decided it was unsuitable for purpose with higher maintenance costs in the long term.

The new unit will cater for ‘pupils with the most severe forms of autism within the borough’ and teenagers, especially boys, who need extra support.

Pupils at the lower end of the spectrum and younger pupils in the middle range will continue to be catered for in mainstream schools.

Cllr Harling said: “ASD is a complex and wide spectrum that needs a diverse range of educational and care options to meet each pupil’s individual needs and we currently have a shortfall of provision. “ “The care and education of every child in our borough is of great importance, so making sure we provide the best educational environment where they can learn and thrive is essential.

“This will be fantastic news for local parents and families.”

Coun Harling added that demand for specialist educational support for children on the ASD spectrum had increased since 2000 due to improvements in diagnosis of the condition.