Skipton Girls' High School will have its own environmentally friendly classrooms complete with solar powered heating.

The 620 square metre extension will be built onto the north east of the school and will house two classrooms and two science laboratories.

Headteacher Diana Chambers said the building had been designed to be environmentally friendly and fit in with the surrounding area.

She added that the new two-storey block was essential as the present facilities had become inadequate.

As well as classrooms the building will contain toilets, a caretaker's office and disabled access lift.

North Yorkshire County Council's planning committee approved the plans this week even though Skipton Town Council, Craven District Council and Skipton Civic Society all objected.

They claimed the design would detract from the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Five letters had also been received from nearby residents concerned about the loss of privacy, increased noise pollution, an inappropriate design and that not enough consideration had been given to building on other sites such as the rear tennis courts.

However, planning officer Eric Matthews said: "The design of the building is not industrial in nature rather it reflects contemporary concepts of design for public buildings."

Work will begin on the extension at Easter and it should be completed in time for the new academic year.

Initial plans have also been drawn up for a two-storey block of 10 new classrooms at Aireville School, Skipton.

The proposal is to build the classrooms on the existing tennis courts. The walls will be made of natural stone, with metal sheeting on the roof and double glazed windows.