An application to open an education centre for children with special needs has been given the go ahead by the council.

Following the closure of the Royal School for the Deaf, Sara Llewellyn was personally affected as it meant her son, Louie, was left without the specialist help and education he needed.

She set up a group to help her son and other children in a similar position at her own house, which could accommodate about six children.

The group has now outgrown that and the new build hopes to help up to 24 children with multi-sensory, physical and complex medical conditions.

Councillors discussed last night the submission for a "single storey timber framed therapy and education centre for children with special needs, with associated access and parking" to be built on Quex Park in Birchington.

Letters of support were submitted outlining there is "a need for this school" and pointed out it was initiate "employment opportunities".

In the application documents, the planning officer said: "It is acknowledged that an identified need exists for special education needs facilities following the closure of the Royal School for the Deaf.

"The proposed education and therapy use on the site is considered to be acceptable given the local need for the proposed development and its associated social benefits.

"The principle of this use if therefore considered to be acceptable.."

Fundraising efforts have been made in anticipation of the build.

Last week, a cheque was presented to Sara on behalf of Minnis Bay Lodge, who as a group held a charity walk and party night to raise money towards building costs.

Within a week of the walk, sponsors and donations totalled more than £4,000, which boosted the £1,000 raised at the party night event.

John Matthews, of Minnis Bay Lodge, said: "It is brilliant news that planning has been approved for their new unit within Quex Park.

"It is a private estate, off the main road, so therefore with very little traffic and hence noise. The surroundings are absolutely perfect.

"I am confident that my Lodge will continue to support them despite my not being at the helm because when we were first made aware it was a unanimous decision to help them.

"They are a local charity and the need for a replacement school for the children who are impaired by such difficulties is essential.

"The old school in Margate served the whole of Kent and even into London.

"One person who used to work there told me it catered for some children from overseas as well.

"I think it is fair to say that our efforts obviously helped towards the initial costs of obtaining planning consent which, unfortunately, is currently a tidy sum.

"Our donation is now something like £6,000 with the party, walk and previous clay shoot, when gift aid is considered it could be much more."