Plans to build a new classroom at Leigh-on-Mendip First School have been given the thumbs up by Mendip District Council.

A planning application for the construction of a single-storey classroom and an administration area extension at the County First School, Leigh Street, Leigh-on-Mendip, had been submitted by the Board of Governors.

The proposal was for a single-storey flat roof extension adding on to the existing flat roof to the west.

The extension is to provide a new classroom and enable the relocation of the administration and head teacher office areas.

Internally the existing areas are to be refurbished to relocate the staff room and toilets with full mobility use toilet facilities.

The plans were amended to take into consideration the parish council concerns that the extension wrapped around the historic gable on the existing building. The school addressed this issue by foreshortening the extension leaving the gable exposed.

In approving the plans, the planning officer's report said: "The parish council has raised concerns regarding traffic generation.

"However, the proposal is merely for one additional classroom with one additional staff member (teacher) and possibly 15 additional pupils but these might vary year on year.

"It is considered that this increase is unlikely to generate additional traffic congestion as to warrant the application's refusal.

"It is appreciated that at drop-off and pick-up times there is traffic congestion outside the school but this is limited to those times alone and the level of congestion has not been so severe as to have a significant impact over the wider transport network and personal injury collision records confirm this with no accidents have been reported in the vicinity of the site over the last five years.

"The proposal is acceptable in principle raising no adverse design or amenity issues and with regard to any slight increase of traffic generation at drop-off and pick-up times, the public benefits arising from the development outweigh the less than significant harm in this case."

Planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area that have been submitted this week to Mendip District Council include:

Replacement of glass in three windows to the north elevation, with repair to stonework mullions at Tanyard House, Fosse Road, Oakhill, is wanted by Mr Philip Brown.

Insertion of new windows to east elevation at Church Barn, Church Farm Barns, Frys Lane to Mill Lane, Batcombe, has been applied for by Mr and Mrs Hill.

Prior approval for change of use of agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) at Totterdown Farm, Totterdown Lane, Pilton, is wanted by Mr Steve Kearle.

Works to trees in a Conservation Area T1 - crimson king maple: fell to ground level; T2 - Norway maple: pollard by approximately 3m all over to leave a reduced branch framework size, once regrowth occurs the reactive growth will be thinned out as a separate scope of work to reduce crown density and allow more light to the lawn and shrubs surrounding have been applied for at Netherlea, Back Lane, Batcombe.

Planning applications in the Shepton Mallet area that have been decided this week by Mendip District Council include:

Widening of access and installation of timber gates, erection of stone wall and garden gate within the frontage area, adding cock and hen coping to existing side wall, repointing and re-laying cock and hen coping to the front boundary wall, and replacing six rooflights at 17 Great Ostry, Shepton Mallet, by Mrs Charis Selwood has been approved.

Application to vary conditions 2 (Use Class) and 3 (Opening Hours) of planning approval 085033/013 (change of use of barn to caravan repair workshop) at Marchants Hill Farm, Marchants Hill, Gurney Slade, by Mr G Perry has been withdrawn.

Demolish existing garage and erect a larger garage, repair, rebuild and extend outbuilding, remove hedge in rear garden and replace with stone wall to match existing and create a wider access gate to allow for additional car parking space at 1 Vale View, Common Lane, Holcombe, by Mr Leslie Preston has been approved.

Erection of outdoor horse exercise arena at The Cottage, Fosse Road, Stoke St Michael, by Ms Samantha Quirke has been approved.

Proposed single-storey boot room to south elevation at Carrot Hill Farmhouse, Spargrove Lane, Batcombe, by Mr and Mrs Nielsen has been approved.

Prior approval for a proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (Class C3) on land at West Lane, Croscombe, by Mr Andrew Wyatt has been given.