School Hall plans given the thumbs up

Herefordshire Council has given the go ahead for a new school hall to be built at St Joseph's RC Primary School in Ross on Wye.

The school's children can look forward to enjoying school concerts, assemblies, lunches and sporting activities in the new 180 square metre hall from next September.

The original school hall was sold off with St Joseph's Convent, so alterations were made within the main school building to provide a temporary hall.

To minimise the impact for local residents, the new hall will be built at a lower level than the school and playgrounds, incorporating toilets, storage areas, boiler room, kitchen and disabled toilet and shower.

It is being funded with help from the Department for Children, Schools and Families under a programme which allows local authorities to draw down funding for voluntary aided schools.

Bernie Davies, head teacher, says: "We're delighted that planning permission has been granted. This will mean so much for the children and families who use the school. We've been struggling and have been prevented from providing many of the activities we would like to provide such as indoor sports, dance and gymnastics."

Now that planning permission has been granted, detailed plans will be developed and the building work put out to tender. It is hoped to appoint a contractor in December and complete the new building by September 2009.