PLANNERS for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority have granted permission for Kirkby Malham primary school to build a two storey, self-contained classroom.

The work will be the largest building expansion at the school since the 1960s when a dining room and toilets were added and will provide a classroom each for the three classes.

The predominantly stone-clad extension also comprises a toilet, cloakroom, store, boiler room and internal staircase. There will also be glazed link between the extension and the existing brick-built extension.

In a supporting letter, headteacher Paul Duke said the school had increased from 42 children to 74 over the past five years as a result of an influx of people moving into Malhamdale.

This figure was set to remain stable for the foreseeable future and the present teaching space could adversely affect the children's educational entitlement and standards, planners were told at Tuesday's national park meeting.

It was also stated that the erection of a permanent building would mean the removal of a temporary Portakabin-type building which currently housed the infant department.

Mr Duke added that the overcrowding problem had been foreseen two years ago and the school had made a successful bid for funding from the Department for Education and Employment's minor works voluntary aided schools fund.

Robert Heseltine, chairman of the National Park Authority and vice-chairman of the North Yorkshire Education Authority commented: "Paul Duke, his governors and his staff, really do deserve praise and admiration for their enthusiasm and confidence in the future of primary education in Malhamdale.

"We take pride in maintaining village and rural schools and look forward to this exciting development which will provide, ensure and sustain the very best and up-to-date education facilities and opportunities for generations of Dales youngsters to come."

Members supported an amended drawing which incorporated two windows at first floor level so reducing the need for two roof lights below eaves level.

Other conditions were that the capacity of the septic tank be identified and that the prefabricated temporary classroom be removed from the site by the end of December next year.

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