PLANS are under way to rebuild a school where at present some children are being taught in temporary buildings.

St Cuthbert's RC Primary School in Ropery Lane, Chester-le-Street, consists of four temporary classrooms and a main building that dates from 1926.

But now plans have been submitted to Chester-le-Street District Council to rebuild the school, getting rid of the portable buildings and the flat-roofed extensions and in its place adding two wings to the main Victorian school.

Both sections will contain three classrooms, cloakrooms and offices and be connected to the main school through glazed walkways. The plans include a 27-space parking area.

The development will cost about £2.5m and ten per cent has to be raised by the school.

Headteacher Sean Brown said: "We're still working on the fundraising, it's a lot of money but at least we are now making good progress.

"The important thing about the school is it will become more secure. This will bring everything under one roof. We will have up-to-date disability access, proper ICT facilities and a proper library.

"It will generally just modernise the building because it's very difficult at present."

Chester-le-Street District Council has received two letters of objection about the proposals, complaining that the playground's current use as a car park for church functions and events at the weekends might not be prevented and that the addition of classrooms and car-parking space would lead to an increase in cars.

But district planning officers have recommended the plans be approved, saying there are not going to be any extra classrooms and it is unlikely the modernisation will lead to an increase in cars.

The plans will be considered at Monday's planning meeting.