PLANS have been lodged by a primary school for an extension to provide ‘much-needed’ additional space for early years provision.

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department from Greatham C of E Primary School for an extension at the front of their site. 

The plans from school bosses state the extension will be to the existing early learning classroom to support their teaching requirements.

A design and access statement submitted by Bryal Consultancy, on behalf of the school in Egerton Terrace, claims the plans will benefit young pupils at the school for years to come.

It said: “It is Greatham Primary School’s intention to add an extension on to their existing building to provide much needed additional space for their early years children.

“Their design consideration is to extend the existing early learning classroom to support their teaching requirements.

“The new space will benefit the children by creating a more formal and quiet area of the foundation stage unit, enabling them to sit at designated tables whilst preparing them for Key Stage One."

Plans note the extension will incorporate the repositioning of the main entrance door, which will move forward from its current location to accommodate the extended classroom. 

The new extension will use matching brickwork and will adopt a flat roof construction to tie in with the existing building, ensuring minimal visual impact.

The design and access statement also notes how the plans will benefit the community by improving the school provision.

It said: “Greatham Primary School envisages that the new facility will improve their services, ensuring that they have the resources that will fulfil the requirements of their early years children moving forward, which will positively impact the local community and future-proof their facility.”

It also states the school will be actively involved in the planning, design and decision-making process, so will be aware of and be influential in all arrangements prior to any work proceeding.

This will ensure any concerns are addressed and queries answered.

The new space will be used by existing staff and children, meaning there will be no additional occupancy, according to the proposals.

The alterations will not affect current parking arrangements, so no impact on vehicle parking will be encountered.

A decision is expected to be made on the plans by the council planning department next month.