PLANS are afoot to start work on the new York High School building in the west of the city.

Councillors are being asked to approve two applications at a meeting tomorrow to get the ball rolling with work at both Lowfield and Oaklands schools, which are to be amalgamated to create York High School at the Oaklands site.

From September 1 this year until December 2008, both schools will operate from the Lowfield School site, in Dijon Avenue, Acomb, before returning to the renovated Oaklands site in January 2009.

When the school opens in September 2007, it will have 1,000 students and 120 staff - taking in an additional 580 pupils.

The council wants planning approval to construct a temporary two-storey modular teaching block for two years, including additional cycle shelter and stands and 22 additional parking spaces at Lowfield.

The teaching block will be located to the south of the school, within 35 to 50 metres of the rear gardens of properties in Tudor Road.

It will provide seven classrooms, a behaviour management room, humanities room, an admin office and staff room on the ground floor with seven class rooms and a range of meeting and storage rooms on the first floor.

In a report to be considered by councillors tomorrow, development control officer Richard Mowat said: "The building shall be removed by May 30, 2009, and the land reinstated to its former condition unless prior to that date a renewal of the permission shall have been granted in writing by the local planning authority."

Under the plans, while pupils are being taught on the Lowfield site building work will start at Oaklands School, in Cornlands Road.

There are plans for two-storey and single-storey extensions, external alterations, infilling of a courtyard, a new car park and alterations to the entrance from Cornlands Road.

Mr Mowat said: "The new school will be inclusive for pupils and the whole community, requiring a welcoming environment focused on a reception area, which will be the hub of all facilities on the site.

"This space will help to raise the public's perception of the facility and encourage community ownership and responsibility. The site will be used as a showcase for the achievements of the community and as a main information point."

The meeting will take place in the Guildhall, at 4.30pm.