Plans for a new modular classroom at a primary school have been given the go-ahead.
The new classroom at St Paul’s Primary School in Oswaldtwistle, will cater for the school's Reception class as the current classroom is too small for the number of pupils.
The new modular space provides 86 square metres of space and will cater for up to 30 children being supervised by two or three staff.
It will be located on a patch of brownfield land to the east of the existing school building in St Paul’s Street.
The tailor-made building will be made of timber, MDF and insulation and include a classroom, two toilets for pupils, one accessible toilet, plus a kitchenette and lobby.
It will have an insulated metal roof and insulated concrete pad as a foundation, while to the rear there will also be a fenced-off canopied area to provide a secure outdoor play space for pupils.
It will have level access and be heated by an air-source heat pump.
The application’s design and access statement said: “The modular reception classroom will provide a nursery facility for the school to accommodate the existing reception class.
“The existing reception classroom is too small and there is no suitable classroom accommodation within the existing school.
“The proposed modular reception classroom will provide a bespoke facility which is fit for modern primary school teaching.”
One objection was raised against the plans, complaining about a supposed lack of on-street parking for residents because of the school and noise from children.
However, a Hyndburn Council planning officer’s report stated Lancashire County Council’s highways team raised no concerns over parking, and the installation of a new building would actually reduce noise emitted from children playing on the school’s grounds.
The plans were approved with six conditions, which included rules around the building’s construction and a biodiversity net gain requirement through landscaping.
More details about the installation of a building-mounted birdbox for sparrows included with the plans are also required before it can be installed.
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