PERSHORE High School has moved one step closer to having a new purpose-built science block on the edge of its playing field.

Worcestershire County Council's planning and regulation committee approved plans for the new block on Tuesday, despite objections from Sport England about the loss of playing field.

The committee heard that a recent Ofsted report highlighted the difficulties the school has in managing the department because its ten laboratories are spread across five locations within the school.

Worcestershire County Council plans to build a new science block, which would house 11 laboratories, three preparation rooms, a staff workroom, store rooms, toilets and a lift.

The proposal also includes a new door in the main building to allow access from the main school and 16 new parking spaces.

The council said the new block would also allow current science rooms to be converted into teaching accommodation which would consolidate other departments and the school could then remove eight temporary classrooms from the site.

Headteacher Clive Corbett said: "This £3 million project will provide a superb science facility and at this point we can't wait to get it started and completed. It's an excellent opportunity and I am most grateful to Worcestershire LEA for their vision and for supporting the scheme."

Worcestershire County Council must now wait to hear if the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister asks for the application to be referred to them for decision or whether they can proceed with their plans.