AN APPLICATION has been submitted that would see new classrooms and a new external play area erected at a South Lakeland school.

The plans for Wings School Cumbria, situated between Holme and Milnthorpe, would also see existing residential accommodation extended and 32 new parking spaces created.

A design-and-access statement submitted as part of the application refers to a change in pupil needs at Wings, which is attended by children with social, emotional and mental health needs. 

"The school has seen an increase in pupil needs of its current population, in particular those children with autistic spectrum conditions," says the statement. 

"These types of children need a greater level of intervention to meet their individual needs."

The statement stresses the additional space at the school would not lead to an increase in the number of pupils attending - which currently stands at 50 - nor to a change in the number of staff - 110 - employed.

"The increase in parking spaces proposed is to meet the current need," it says.

The project would see one of the original, single-storey buildings that form the maintenance store removed and replaced with a new, purpose-built maintenance building.

"Two new, single-storey external classroom buildings will be provided to complement the existing teaching accommodation, and one of the residential houses (Osprey) will be altered and extended to provide en suite facilities in the existing bedrooms, with two additional bedrooms over a second lounge space," says the design-and-access statement.

"The works proposed will supplement and improve the teaching accommodation and experience for the pupils at the school and will have little or no impact on the external appearance of the school from outside the site or its setting within the wider area."

The application from Kedleston Group Ltd has been submitted to South Lakeland District Council for approval.