A CRICKLADE school is considering appealing a decision to reject plans to plans to extend its site.

Meadowpark School applied to create a building made of timber cladding with a metal sheeting roof to house three new classrooms on its site in the High Street.

But planning officer Alex Smith recommend that the application is rejected at the Wiltshire Council Northern Area Planning committee meeting earlier this year and his fellow councillors agreed.

Mr Smith said that adequate provision for parking in and around the site had not been made and that increased traffic flow from the site could result in safety risks to drivers and pedestrians in the area.

He also said that the extension would result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the Cricklade conservation area.

But Rajvinder Kular, headteacher of the school said that councillors had not properly considered the benefits of approving the plans.

She said: “We are naturally disappointed with the decision. Councillors need to consider the wider picture and the future of the community. In order to thrive, every town needs to make provision for its younger residents. Meadowpark School nurtures the children's educational development and an extension would ensure continuity of this outstanding establishment in the heart of Cricklade. We are considering an appeal.”