THE Chase High School has plans to build a £3.5million eco- friendly new science block with a living roof of plants.

Built on a sports field between the school, QinetiQ and Malvern Hills Science Park, the three-storey building would house 14 laboratories, two seminar rooms and service rooms.

Deputy headteacher Peter Renger said: "The building has been designed to be sympathetic to the contours of the Malvern Hills but, above all, it's a statement of unity between QinetiQ, The Chase and the Science Park, which creates a wonderful triangle."

Science teaching is currently spread throughout the whole school and the new building would bring physics, chemistry and biology, together under one roof.

Old laboratories would be refurbished and freed for use by subjects housed in temporary buildings, such as modern languages.

Headteacher Kevin Peck said the project followed the construction of a new school library and learning centre and the refurbishment of the staff room.

"I think there will be considerable improvement in the space we have and the quality of the classrooms over the next three to five year," he said.

Funded by money from the DEFS and designed by Worcestershire County Council's property services department, the new block could be completed by November 2007, if planning permission is granted.

Built to be environmentally friendly, the building's roof would be topped with a plant called sedum, which provides a habitat for invertebrates. Rainwater falling on the block would be collected and used to fill a pond in a new biology area nearby.

The county council bought the sports field where the science block is planned eight years ago from Malvern College.

The sports field will be replaced by a new all-weather, multi-sports facility elsewhere on the site.

Mr Renger said the building was designed to fit into the surrounding area and, although three storeys high, would be sunk into the ground.

Anyone interested in viewing plans for the science block is invited to an exhibition at the school from Monday to Friday, February 6 to 10.

Opening times are 9.30am to 11am, 2pm to 3.15pm and 4.30pm to 9.30pm (6pm Friday).