Plans to convert a former Ipswich registry office into a school for pupils with additional learning needs have been approved by the borough council. 

The plans were submitted by Planning Direct on behalf of Catch22 to Ipswich Borough Council in April. 

It had proposed to convert St Peter House in Grimwade Street, which has been vacant since the Ipswich registry office moved out in 2022, into a specialist school for 22 students. 

The school will provide education for children aged five to 11 years who may struggle with anxiety, low self-esteem, or have learning difficulties such as ASD, Asperger’s, ADHD or attachment disorders.

Applicant Catch22 will be running the school. It is an Ofsted-regulated charity that focuses on working with local authorities to deliver public services such as employment, education and health. 

In the planning documents, the organisation said: "Catch22 believes every child at their school deserves the best people supporting them in a safe, stimulating and inclusive place to learn.

"Catch22’s purpose is to re-ignite their love of learning and help them become the very best version of themselves that they can be."

The proposed school will have 22 students and 18 members of staff. 

It has also made accommodations for travelling and propose the creation of a bike stand to be built for the students. 

Conditions have been placed on the application by Suffolk County Council's Highways Committee, which states that the school should not be used until it can confirm the site has adequate vehicle access. 

As the registry office, the building held information on births and deaths, together with notices of marriages or civil partnerships and early bird ceremonies.

However, the register was moved to Endeavour House in 2022 to be more central to the town, and closer to the railway station, because it was used by all of Suffolk. 

For more information about planning notices, visit the Public Notice Portal.