A Macclesfield primary school has applied for permission to build a new single-storey extension for its nursery children and a small staff car park.

Ivy Bank Primary School, on Valley Road, says it wants to build the new high-quality contemporary nursery space because the existing provision is 'somewhat outdated and spatially lacking in terms of connectivity, layout and safeguarding'.

A design and access statement submitted by aad architects with the planning application to Cheshire East Council states: "It is intended the space will be used by mainstream pre-school children aged thee and four years old.

This presents a spatial allowance for approximately 30 children.

The school is located on Valley Road.

"Toilet cubicles will be provided as part of the proposals directly accessible off the main nursery space. Facing west, the new room will overlook the existing playing fields, offering simple access out to them through the smaller dedicated secure external play area."

Ivy Bank is an established primary school catering for children from nursery through to the end of key stage two.

The report states: "Currently the school operates within a variety of spaces which are somewhat dated, limited in terms of ideal capacity, and in some cases, inadequate for the appropriate delivery of education to 21st century standards. The school has benefited from recent modern additions but areas like the nursery require improvement to align with current pedagogical approaches."

The proposed new building is described as an 'insert extension of approximately 97m2' to the rear of the existing main school building.

The report says it is designed to neatly slot within the available space and is designed to link sympathetically with the existing buildings whilst offering an uplifting contemporary upgrade.

It continues: "An external play area shall be created that links directly to the new nursery classroom. This covered external space and uncovered external space create playgrounds that extend teaching spaces and support active learning. The space works well with internal and external spaces. Windows create a visual link and allow for observation of this space… . In addition, the play area is securely enclosed in line with safeguarding directives."

The existing temporary classrooms on site will be retained and will be accessible from the external areas.

The proposed new six car parking spaces for staff are earmarked for an unused area of hardstanding immediately outside the main school entrance.

The application, number 23/2546M, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council's website.

The closing date for comments from the public is August 1 and the application is due to be determined by a planning officer under delegated authority.