PLANS for a classroom extension at a primary school have been approved by council chiefs.

Balderstone St Leonard's in Common Lane in Balderstone dates back to the late 19th century but needed updating to better accommodate its infants.

A statement supporting its application, which has been passed by Ribble Valley planning department, said: “Over the years the school has been adapted and extended to provide additional teaching accommodation to accommodate growing pupil numbers.

“From the current use of the accommodation there are significant issues with the school’s existing infant classroom which acts as one of the four main teaching spaces at the school.

“The existing infant classroom is located integrally within the school building and has no external windows. The infant classroom has limited access to natural light (rooflight only) and is heated and cooled via a single air con unit.

“There is no fresh air input into the teaching accommodation.

“The ‘internal’ infant classroom does not provide a fit for purpose teaching space due to the poor ventilation and daylight provisions. As a result, the school wish to relocate this classroom to a new building at the front of the site.

“The need to provide additional enhanced accommodation is an essential requirement to ensure the future development of the school to cope with growing pupil numbers, due to the high demand for places at the school.”

The scheme will see a small one-storey extension at the front of the main school building.

The report added: “The extension is located on an area of hardstanding at the front of the main school building.

“The new extension will ‘wrap’ around the existing building and reflect the form of the neighbouring entrance extension.

“The proposed extension will not exceed the height of the existing main school building."