A SPECIAL school in Furness is to undergo a £7 million move to the grounds of UIverston Victoria High School.

Councillors on the ruling Labour-Lib Dem cabinet of Cumbria County Council, gave the go-ahead for the move for Sandside Lodge School, Ulverston.

It caters for 80 pupils aged between two and 19 on an industrial estate at Outcast near Glaxo's factory in the south of the town but will now move during the next two-and-a-half years.

Council papers said that the current site, which is also on a flood zone, was built in 1966 and converted into a special school in 1977 and then extended in 2002.

"The school, whilst functional, compliant and reasonably well maintained, is at the end of its design life and does not, therefore, meet modern requirements on a range of issues including, for example, having corridors that allow two wheelchairs to pass."

The new school will provide 'fit for purpose' accommodation and lower running costs, while there are also hopes it will integrate with UIverston Victoria High.

Cllr Anne Burns, the portfolio holder for children's services, told a meeting that the industrial estate was 'awful accommodation' for youngsters. "This is something we are moving forward on and I think it's exciting."

Referring to other projects, Cllr Clare Feeney-Johnson added: "This is a really exciting time for education within these areas. The learning this site will give the young people is an excellent opportunity to develop their own life and social skills.

"It's a fabulous step forward that we are able to develop this centre in Cumbria."

Cllr Stewart Young, leader of the council, added: "Given all the doom and gloom we are surrounded by (in terms of budgets),this is a very positive report."

Cllr Ian Stewart added that it was a sign of the 'investment' the county council was putting into Ulverston.

All pupils have a statement of Special Educational Need (SEN) and have 'severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties.'

The school is supported by a physiotherapist and speech therapist for two days a week and ongoing contact with a school nurse. The school is also supported by an occupational therapist and social care teams as required.