Hinstock Primary School extension is backed by planners

Plans to expand a village school look set to go ahead after the project won backing from council officials.

A single storey extension will be built at Hinstock Primary School, near Market Drayton, and is expected to be completed by the new year. It will be used as a general purpose room by staff and pupils. The plans, put forward by officials at Shropshire Council were approved under delegated powers.

A report submitted to planning officials on behalf of the applicant said: "The school has developed over recent years incorporating the original Victorian building and new additions of a hall, playground, car park, staff facilities and a nursery."

Richard Denison, case officer for Shropshire Council, said: "This application relates to the erection of a single storey flat roof extension to provide a general purpose room which will provide access to the internal corridor, staff room and toilets for Hinstock Primary School.

"The proposed scale, design and appearance of the extension will respect the existing character of the school building and will not result in any detrimental impact on neighbouring properties."

In a separate planning application awaiting approval, a different applicant wants to create five log cabins to provide holiday accommodation beside Links Green in Hinstock.

The proposal, submitted to the unitary council by Steve Walker, is expected to create one part-time job.

A report on behalf of the applicant said: "The attraction of tourists will improve the sustainability of the rural community by bringing local economic and community benefits as the visitors will utilise the facilities on offer within the village.

"Log cabins clearly have an attractive appearance and appear to blend in with rural sites much more easily than touring caravans.

"Log cabins do not generate the same level of highway use as touring caravans, particularly having regard to the fact that they are normally placed on the site and not towed around the highway network."