COUNCIL education bosses are looking at a plan to build new classrooms at Scarcroft primary school, to ease a growing school place crisis in the area.

A plan for a Scarcroft school extension on the Millthorpe site provoked dismay from parents who did not want to see their successful school split over two sites, but councillors have now agreed to give staff extra time to look into an alternative.

On Thursday last week, the city council's executive agreed look for viable plan for an extension at Scarcroft with enough new outdoor space and classrooms.

Executive member for schools Cllr Jenny Brooks said: "I am pleased we have been able to listen to parents and are now in a position to look at a proposal they support."

However, they were warned that the pressure is on to make a decision soon if the new places are to be ready by 2017.

Projections show that an extra 41 school places will be needed in the Micklegate ward, which includes both Scarcroft and Knavesmire primaries, by September 2017, and by 2023 there could be as many as 120 new places needed.

A plan for a £6.2 million split site extension for Scarcroft School on the nearby Millthorpe school site, went public in January but after pressure from parents and Micklegate ward councillors it was put on hold to give parents and neighbours chance to have their say.

Papers from Thursday's meeting show council education planners had also considered, but rejected, options building of new school buildings on Little Knavesmire, Askham Bar or Nunnery Lane car parks, and allotments next to Millthorpe School.

On Thursday councillors were told that the alternative plan for an extension on the Scarcroft site was being considered, but needed more time for information to be gathered and analysed before a full recommendation could be drawn up.

Agreeing to that delay, Cllr Keith Aspden said it was important to find the right plan, but opposition leader Cllr Janet Looker warned that a decision would need to be made in April to make sure the new places were ready for 2017.