PLANS have been drawn up to extend a primary school to meet growing demand for places and to improve sports facilities.

Durham County Council hopes to build two new classrooms at Tudhoe Colliery Primary School, on Front Street, Tudhoe, in time for the start of the new school year this September.

The proposal is for a single storey extension to the building, using part of the playground, which will add two classrooms along with boys and girls toilet areas including an accessible facility.

A new main entrance will be created off an extended car park, where the school garden is currently located, to take parking provision from ten to 25 spaces.

The majority of pupils get to and from school on foot but some travel by car and when they are dropped off Front Street becomes heavily congested with traffic.

It is hoped that the extra parking spaces will take staff and visitors’ vehicles off the street and ease congestion at the start and end of the school day.

The proposal includes the creation of a 30m x 18.5m multi use games area (MUGA) on a rough field, which will be surrounded by a green fence.

The extension has been designed to match the existing stone building, features both pitched and flat grey roofing and some internal refurbishment would be required.

An application to the authority for planning permission states: “An extension is required to the school as demand for school places has increased.”

Earlier this year, Minister of State for Schools David Laws wrote to Tudhoe Colliery to congratulate the school for good results and for being highly effective in educating disadvantaged children.

The school has said the extra space will give each age group its own classroom, improve pedestrian and vehicle access and feature security fencing.

Council officers expect to determine the planning application using delegated powers by the end of April.