THE Grange School in Hartford has unveiled ambitious plans to build a new sports hall.

The application – which proposes the ‘Relocation of Sports Hall, Erection of Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and External Lighting Scheme’ – was received by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning department on September 14.

Facilities outlined in the proposals include a netball court, external climbing wall and a dance studio.

A gymnasium, which will be used for general school use and as a training facility for the school’s rowing team, is also included in the proposals.

The new building, if approved, will be built on the current tennis courts, which will be moved to the west of the school and transformed into a MUGA – a sports court that can be used for a variety of different sports.

The supplementary statement provided in the application states: “The Grange was founded in 1933 as a preparatory school.

“Over the years the school has grown into a vastly successful educational institution and is highly regarded in Cheshire and beyond for its excellence in teaching, its values and the quality of its educational results.

“As a result of this success the school has seen significant expansion and investment over the years in order to sure that the high standards of educational provision are maintained going forward.”

In 2012 The Grange was given the green light to redevelop and extend the school, which included the provision of a sports hall, sixth form centre and dining hall.

The sixth form and dining hall have been completed, but work in the sports hall never commenced.

“Since the approval if the 2012 application the school has continued to grow and as a result it is necessary for the school to consider future development opportunities,” the statement said.

“As part of these discussions/considerations, it was agreed that the location of the sports hall would be better placed to the west of the main school buildings, adjacent to the existing sports facilities.

“This relocation allows for the provision of a slightly larger sports hall, which can accommodate a standard netball court, additional changing facilities, a larger Sports England compliant equipment store, a dance studio and additional office accommodation, ensuring that the sports hall is fit for purpose and meets current standards.”

The documents adds that it is ‘necessary to amend the size of the previously approved sports hall in order to comply with sports England 2012 Sports Hall Design and Layouts’ guidance and meet the school’s current requirements’.

The site comprises of approximately 3.6ha of land, which is currently used for the school’s sports and recreational purposes. The site is located to the north of Hartford village centre.

The application says the proposed landscaping seeks to ‘retain the existing boundary trees and hedges in order to screen the proposed sport hall, therefore ensuring that the proposal will have minimal, if any, visual impacts for neighbouring properties.’

A spokesman for The Grange declined to comment.

The decision is awaiting approval.

To view the application in full and to submit comments on the proposals, visit pa.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk using the reference 16/04202/FUL.