A YORK primary school could be in line for a major new extension if plans submitted to the city council get the go-ahead.

Robert Wilkinson School, in Strensall, has applied for planning permission for a four-classroom first-floor extension to accommodate growing numbers of pupils.

The school already relies on temporary buildings to house all its classrooms, and with the villages of Strensall and Towthorpe expected to grow in coming years the school has come up with plans to permanently enlarge its teaching areas.

Architects Constructive Individuals have presented a design and access statement to planning officials at City of York Council, setting out the school’s proposals.

The document says: “Planning consent has been granted for a significant number of new houses within Strensall, and long-term strategy suggests many more will follow.

“The net result is that the school will shortly be oversubscribed. The school has seen a steady increase in numbers over the years, resulting in the need to erect and use three temporary classrooms for teaching.

“These three classrooms are still in daily use.

The planned first-floor extension on to an existing flat-roofed single-storey extension would mean one temporary classroom and another temporary building could be removed and some pupils could relocate into the new rooms, and more classroom space would be created without encroaching on outside space and sports areas.

The plans also include a new staff room and training area, resource space, toilets and cloakrooms, and even first-floor balconies for outdoor teaching.

The timber-framed extension will be mainly prefabricated off site and lifted into place to keep disruption at the school to a minimum, and at the same time the existing 1970s-built ground floor will be insulated and clad in render to improve the appearance.