COUNCIL leaders have agreed some £4.6m worth of funding to expand one of Herefordshire’s most popular schools.

Herefordshire Council cabinet members pledged £4,688,500 at a meeting today (May 10) towards the extension of Marlbrook Primary School and a new car park.

This investment will lead to an increase of 50% more pupils, bringing the total up from 60 to 90, providing council planners allow it.

An extra 53 car parking spaces would also be built, and the scheme will provide additional classrooms.

Local ward councillor Conservative Paul Rone said: “It’s no ordinary school, it’s no ordinary headteacher, and the same could be said about the staff, the parents, volunteers and the pupils.

“What we’ve got here is an Ofsted outstanding school looking to expand the intake of pupils.

“This school welcomes children that live in some of the most deprived areas in the country.”

Breinton resident Liz Morawiecka asked why additional car parking spaces were being considered for a school without a travel plan which would encourage more driving rather than cycling or walking.

Conservative councillor Elissa Swinglehurst, cabinet member for young people and children’s wellbeing, said: “There are already issues with traffic congestion and excessive on street parking at peak travel times.

“The streets around the school cannot accommodate non-residents parking and peak time pressures lead to parking on footways and a potential increase in traffic hazards.

“Marlbrook Primary School has a draft travel plan and is committed to maximising the value of walking or cycling to school.”

The various group leaders generally expressed support for the scheme however It’s Our County councillor Anthony Powers said they did not support the extra car parking at the site.

Liberal Democrat councillor Terry James said the idea of not having car parking for staff and parents would not work.

Ofsted inspectors rated the school as outstanding after their last visit in 2009. The school has been consistently oversubscribed since 2011 and extra permanent and temporary accommodation was provided for the school to take in more children.