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

A 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 actual building would be used as part of the pupils' education because it had been designed to be environmentally friendly and fit in with the surrounding area.

She added that the new two-storey block was essential to the school as the present facilities had become inadequate and some science classes were at the moment not being taught in laboratories.

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 to the extension, claiming the design would detract from the character and appearance of the conservation area.

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.