PLANS have been submitted to build two double classrooms to expand facilities for special needs pupils in Salisbury due to “increasing demand”.

The new classroom buildings will be used by the Springfields Academy (South), who established a satellite site in a former sixth form block at Sarum Academy, which opened in February.

The plans were discussed by Salisbury City Council’s planning committee on Monday, June 10.

The city council’s vice-chairman of planning, Councillor Tom Corbin said he had “no issues” with the plans, which were supported by the committee.

A document submitted with the planning application said it currently has capacity for 20 pupils but was now “fully subscribed”.

It said: “Due to continuing demand Springfields (South) propose to increase the available space up to 60 by installing two double modular classrooms, which will provide 40 additional spaces.”

The application stated that it was estimated that 12 additional staff would be needed but no additional car parking spaces would be required as the existing car parking spaces on the school campus were “underutilised” and could be used.

A travel plan submitted recommended a survey be carried out to look at how pupils and staff travel to the site.

It said: “The installation of two double modular buildings will increase the total number pupils and staff to 72.

“There is no current travel survey for Springfields (South) Academy. So, no definitive data on how both staff and pupils travel to the site.

“The new Springfields (South) Academy has increased that amount of traffic to the existing Sarum Academy site. But it should be recognised that by the introduction of the satellite site, this, has reduced the travel times and mileage for these pupils, who would have been travelling Springfields Academy in Calne, therefore reducing car use and their environmental footprint.”

Wiltshire Council planning chiefs will decide whether or not to grant planning permission.

The deadline to comment on the proposals is July 3.

Visit wiltshire.gov.uk/planning-applications-search and enter ref 19/03821/FUL.