A nursery that closed after a baby died in a choking tragedy could be turned into a special needs school under new plans.

Jelly Beans in Ashford shut in 2021, weeks after the death of nine-month-old Oliver Steeper.

An inquest later heard he had been fed chopped-up penne pasta and bolognese at the Park Farm site - a meal his parents say he was not yet ready for.

Now, a planning application has been submitted to turn the building into a new school for children with special educational needs (SEN).

Applicant Dave Saunders, who recently bought the site, says he is “confident we can shake its reputation”.

In planning documents submitted to Ashford Borough Council, the 35-year-old, of Birch Investments, says the Field View facility is the “perfect place” to offer SEN provision.

The site currently features six classrooms but documents state there is “the possibility of adding a seventh”.

Mr Saunders says he has been in contact with Oliver’s parents about the project, which is set to cater for 60 to 70 children aged seven to 16.

He is planning to auction off furniture still in the building in aid of the Oliver Steeper Foundation - a charity set up in his memory.

The school will be run by Mr Saunders’ wife, who has experience working with SEN children, along with three other partners from the industry.

They are currently waiting for a licence from Ofsted to open the facility, but Mr Saunders says he is planning to include a tribute to Oliver at the site.

“By opening this school, we can help bridge the gap for families who are desperate for more SEN provision,” the planning documents add.

“We believe that transforming it into an SEN school will bring enormous benefits to the community without disrupting the surrounding area.

“We’ve carefully considered the location, and the site provides the perfect environment for children who need specialised care and attention.”

Earlier this year, an inquest into Oliver’s death returned a conclusion of misadventure and found “no evidence which would show failures by the nursery or its staff”.

A jury of five men and five women returned their verdict after two hours of deliberation.

Oliver’s parents, Lewis and Zoe Steeper, maintained that staff did not have permission to feed their son what they did, saying he had just started to move onto purees and appropriate finger food at home.

His mum added: “No parent should ever leave their child at nursery for them not to come home.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Since Oliver’s death, the Steepers set up the foundation in his memory, supplying vital LifeVacs to pre-schools, and they have already saved the lives of other children.

Last month, a mum from Ashford told how she used a device on her two-year-old after he swallowed a penny.

A decision on the SEN school application will be made by planning officers at ABC.