THE ever-increasing growth of pupil numbers at Alcester High School has led to plans for a huge building project, costing hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The application, which was approved by Warwickshire County Council last week, includes the construction of a single story block linked to the school, which will include either two or four classrooms.

A new hard play area will also have to be created as the block will be built on an area of land which is now being used for recreation.

A mobile classroom which is already at the school will have to be resited and a new car park is also going to be built.

Deputy headteacher Chris Millen said: "The number of pupils at the school is growing continually.

"We now have 700 students, so these extensions and additions are greatly needed.

"It is a large project and the cost of the new block will be somewhere in the region of £400,000."

But Mr Millen said the plans were not being submitted to cope with any additional pupils who could join the school if a proposed 400 home development in the town got the go-ahead.

He said: "Until we learn whether the housing development plans are going ahead or not we cannot say whether we will have to cope with an influx of pupils or how many there might be.

"We don't know where these pupils will be going.

"These extensions and alterations are being carried out purely to improve the facilities for the pupils who currently attend Alcester High School."

A Warwickshire County Council spokesman said: "Although it would usually be up to the district council to grant planning permission, when it comes to school land it is the county's job to consider an application with input from the district council."

Permission was granted with the condition that certain properties in Captains Hill and Gerard Road were screened from the development.