SCHOOL staff have been celebrating the county council's backing of a new classroom extension that will help it cope with growing numbers.

The two-storey block will be built on Matthew Arnold School's filled-in swimming pool after councillors unanimously approved the plan.

Ian Carr, business manager and vice-chairman of governors, said the school was "delighted" with the result.

He said: "We are thrilled this expansion has been approved so the school will be able to take more local children.

"We desperately need these extra classrooms because last September was oversubscribed by 92 pupils.

"With a recent housing development being granted approval it means the pressure will be even greater in the next few years.

"The project will not only benefit new pupils but those students already at the school.

"The building will provide us with the opportunity to teach in a modern facility with all the latest technologies."

The building has been designed to maximise the use of natural daylight and will have skylights built into its roof.

Previous plans envisaged an 11.64m tall classroom but it has been reduced by just of 2m after nearby residents complained it would overlook their homes.

The nearest houses to the proposed development would be 33m to the west, and the proposed building would be about 18m from the nearest school boundary with the residential gardens.

Mr Carr said: "Matthew Arnold School has had a good relationship with the community for the last 50 years.

"We wish to continue to improve education and offer it to all children in the local community.

"We were aware of concerns from our neighbours about the height of the classroom and we have worked with them on this redesign."

During the construction works a temporary car park has also been planned for the site, encroaching on a part of the Green Belt.

But county councillor Charles Mathew wanted to ensure it was not used beyond the construction phase.

He said: "Can we put a limit on the time the car park is used, perhaps, say, only for 52 weeks after the construction has begun?"

Councillors agreed it would stop being used as soon as the construction was complete.

It was also decided that construction lorries and vehicles could only enter the site via Cumnor Hill and Arnold's Way to help ease traffic and congestion in North Hinksey.

Work is expected to take 49 weeks.