School aims to build new block for pupil surge

About 150 more pupils are expected to attend Welland Park Academy in Market Harborough in the next five years

Rising pupil numbers have meant a school in Leicestershire has proposed to build an entirely new teaching block.

A planning application described Welland Park Academy in Market Harborough as "popular and oversubscribed" with about 970 pupils and is expected to have 150 more in the next five years.

The documents stated a new building containing "general teaching classrooms with offices, stores and toilets" was decided upon after opportunities to improve or expand existing facilities had been exhausted.

The application is open for consultation until 13 October, with a decision due to be made by Harborough District Council on 12 December.

The application also stated the existing school buildings were "currently lacking sufficient teaching space and parking for staff".

If the plan is approved, an existing temporary block will be demolished to make way for additional sport and outdoor play space, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The proposal included a canopy to provide a "sheltered route" between the buildings.