Plans for a new sports hall at Wilmslow High School have been approved.
The proposal for an additional 1,060 sq m hall with four multi-use games courts, extra teaching space, equipment storage and staff accomodation was approved by councillors at a meeting of the Northern Planning Committee last Wednesday (February 24).
The development will be sited next to the existing outdoor sports facilitiesin an area currently used as a car park and yard.
There will also be a smaller single-storey annex.
Councillors said this was good news for the school which achieved Specialist Sports College Status in 2003 and has sports facilities falling short of the school's requirements now it has 2,000 pupils.
The school is involved with a number of extra-curriculur sports programmes and has demand for wider community use.
Coun Jim Crockatt said at the meeting: "I know the school well and in view of the work they have been doing over the years I think this is a necessary building.
"It's within the school site next to the public footpath between the railway and school grounds and is not going to cause any problems to people using the path.
"I don't think neighbours will be unduly affected by it and contractors will use the entrance off the A34.
"I am quite happy with this."
Coun Carolyn Andrew said: "With such an emphasis these days on exercise, play facilities and getting shape I think this is to be welcomed."
Coun David Nelson asked that they set a condition to ensure that if the sports hall is no longer needed in the future then it should be turned back into playing fields and not be sold off to developers.
He said: "We need to protect school playing fields." But officers told him this could not be set as a condition.
Councillors did set a conditon to restrict contractors' access from the A34 in school rush hours, from 8.15am to 9.15am and 3pm to 4.30pm.
