A SCHOOL has applied to extend its building to cope with rising classroom numbers.

Malton Community Primary School has submitted plans to North Yorkshire County Council proposing to build a new room for its children and increase the facilities already on offer at the Highfield Road school.

The plans also include ambitions to create a new pathway by chopping down two trees in the grounds.

A design and access statement submitted to the authority sets out the plans.

It reads: "This planning application is for the construction of a new single storey classroom extension with associated amenities on the western elevation of Malton community primary school.

"The aim of this proposal is to increase teaching provision and facilities in the school, which will provide benefits for the school’s pupils.

"The extension will provide an additional classroom and store and an extension to an existing corridor.

"External works include the relocation of a shallow ramp to accommodate the classroom extension. The access to the existing special needs classroom will be modified accordingly."

Cllr Linda Cowling, leader of Ryedale District Council, said the plans are part of scheduled work to cope with demand in the district.

She said: "Expansion to most schools in Ryedale is planned at some point in the future because of growth in housing numbers.

"The district council has worked in consultation with the county council to dictate what level of growth we expect and how we need to fund the facilities that are going to be needed in the future.

"It's good the facilities are being kept up to date and we are keeping in touch with the growth in the area, and I would hope the work will be scheduled to cause minimum disruption in the school."

The plans are set to go before councillors at North Yorkshire County Council in the coming weeks.