A PUBLIC school wants to replace a temporary building with a plush new development and could get planning permission next week.

Abingdon School’s bid for a three-storey education building to replace one with temporary permission which expired in August could be approved.

But Abingdon Town Council has objected to the proposal and it has been referred to Vale of White District Council’s planning committee.

The town council said the project, at the school in Park Road, is ‘unattractive and adversely affects the character of the local area’, while the three storeys would ‘overdevelop’ the spot.

It added it would not ‘preserve or enhance’ the Albert Park Conservation Area – but would instead damage it.

The town council added: “The proposals do not make adequate provision for parking and further development would exacerbate the problem.”

But Vale of White Horse District Council's planning department said it would not be 'overly dominant'.

The authority said the plan 'can be achieved whilst respecting the heritage assets' nearby.

It added: "The proposal will bring enhancements and better reveal the setting of the Victorian villas on Park Crescent, the Conservation Area and the setting of Albert Park."

In 2015, the school had 963 pupils.

It is not expected the school's roll will be increased once the building is complete.

It will allow new teaching and support spaces for pupils and would also replace a reception and porter's accommodation, currently located elsewhere in the school.

The new building, which would be located at the northern edge of one of the school's planning fields, would be connected to the school's Yang Science Centre.

Abingdon School is based around a house system, with pupils assigned to one when they start there. Two of the houses will have rooms on the first floor of the new building, along with others for quiet study.

On its website, the architects responsible for the project, David Morley Architects, state: “We have a 100 per cent success rate in receiving planning approval, often in environmentally sensitive settings. Our ethos is enhancing lives through design.”

Vale councillors will be asked to approve the plan on Wednesday.