PLANNING chiefs have given the green light for a new multi-million pound sixth form block to be built at Stourport High School.

Wyre Forest District Council’s planning committee gave the thumbs up to Stourport High School and VI Form College’s plans for a new two storey sixth form block and two storey classroom teaching block, when they met on Tuesday (September 20), subject to a number of conditions.

The new building would replace the old sixth form block. It will be located on existing playing fields at the Minster Road school.

A report to the planning committee stated: “The site currently benefits from a range of teaching building spread across the site. Fronting Minster Road, on the south east boundary of the site, are the main school buildings and school entrance.

“The majority of the school buildings sit behind the main entrance occupying the entire width of the site giving the school a second frontage and entrance off Windermere Way.

“Elsewhere on the site at the far north west, behind properties on Coniston Crescent, is the site of the former sixth form block. The remainder of the site is given over to open playing fields.”

The report also stated: “The proposed sixth form block would be sited on an area of existing playing field, a matter which was discussed during the consideration of the outline application.

“Concerns relating to the siting of the proposed sixth form block were considered and approved at the outline stage of the proposal and as such, despite the concerns raised by local residents during the consultation process, are not for reconsideration as part of this reserved matters application.”

The Stourport school had submitted a bid for funding from the Department of Education to create a new base for the sixth form students.

Delighted staff announced in June that the £3 million would enable them to build a new state of the art facility to replace the current building – which isn’t deemed to be in the best condition.

Chris King, headteacher at Stourport High, told the Shuttle in July: “We are delighted to have secured one of the largest awards from the Government’s latest funding round to build what will be a brand new, state of the art, sixth form college, opening to students from Stourport and the surrounding areas in September 2017.

“With more than £3 million we will be able to provide sixth form students with a new block that will include science laboratories, ICT and performance spaces whilst giving our students first class social and study spaces.

“More than 2,000 academies and sixth form colleges from across the country applied for funds and with less than half that number being successful in their bids, we are privileged that the quality of our post-16 curriculum and teaching will soon be matched by outstanding facilities.”