PLANS to transform Altrincham College of Arts into a sixth-form centre were approved by the planning board last week.

On Thursday April 8 at Trafford Council’s Planning Development Control Committee, councillors voted to approve the erection of the £5.3m three-storey extension to be built at the front of the existing school between the College of Arts building and Green Lane.

The new building will create 200 places for 16 to 19 year olds.

The plans are subject to approval from the secretary of state, as the new building will be built on green belt land.

Chairperson Councillor Vivienne Ward said: “We are fiercely protective of our greenbelt, but know that there are occasions when there are exceptional circumstances.”

There was a consensus in the committee that the plans will benefit Trafford’s young people and Councillor Laurence Walsh said the educational aspect of the development was “outstanding”.

Peter Brooks, headteacher at the school, said he was “delighted” that students will now be able to complete an 11 to 18 education at Altrincham College of Arts.

The school was one of only four in England to be awarded funding from over 100 applications.

Mr Brooks said the Learning and Skills Council had taken into account their fantastic exam results, the school’s High Performing Specialist Schools’ status and the range of vocational, creative and academic courses that will be offered to post-16 students.

There had been initial objections from residents about the proposals because of concerns about parking, additional traffic, buses and the impact on the area.

Councillor Patricia Young said the main objection had been to do with parking and traffic, but this had been addressed by certain amendments to the plans and by a proposed bus management strategy to limit the number of buses and coaches at the school.

There will also be a contribution of £2,500 towards highway improvements at the junction of Thorley Lane and Green Lane.