Plans that will allow St Mary's School to relocate to a new site on the outskirts of Wantage have moved a major step forward.

The independent girls' school suffered a blow last week when it emerged that planning officers at the Vale of White Horse District Council were advising councillors to refuse the school's plans to move to Challow Park.

Officers said the proposed development would encroach into a protected area of countryside between East Challow and Wantage.

Headmistress Sue Sowden warned that if permission was refused the school -- which has been in Wantage since 1873 -- could be forced out of the town altogether.

But at the committee meeting on Monday, development control manager Mike Gilbert said the school had confirmed that all new buildings could be built within the developed area of Challow Park House and a former council depot. The committee agreed to his new recommendation that outline permission is granted once some outstanding issues had been resolved.

After the meeting, Mrs Sowden said: "We're delighted to be able to move the project forward and will now be working closely with everyone involved to make sure we meet all the conditions set down by the council.

"We're grateful for all the support we've received and are very excited at the thought of taking one step nearer to our new home."

St Mary's is currently based at split sites in Wantage, but several of its buildings are in need of expensive renovation work and the school has no room to expand.

The relocation will also mean its existing sites in Wantage centre can be redeveloped for housing. Once outline permission is granted, the school will still need to submit full details for approval.