Plans to extend and refurbish a primary school in Bradford to accommodate an extra 90 pupils are being recommended for approval.

Bradford Council wants to build a two-storey extension on the north-eastern side of Thackley Primary School.

During construction temporary classrooms would be provided to house pupils for about 18 months. Also included in the plans are new steps, disabled access ramps and nine extra car parking spaces at the Town Lane site.

The school is housed in a Victorian stone building with large steep double-pitched slate roofs and already has a large modern flat extension on its north-east corner.

A report to Bradford Planning Panel states that the new extension would be faced with a “combination of render, timber cladding, natural stone and glazing”.

It also adds that: “The enlargement of the school is likely to result in increased traffic and general disturbance to local residents at school opening and closing times, however the level of harm that occurs is unlikely to significantly increase above the current level of disturbance.”

The report gives the reason for recommending planning permission be granted as follows: “The proposed extension of this school is not considered to be harmful to visual amenity or residential amenity and, subject to the provision of additional car parking and a school travel plan to assist in reducing reliance on private vehicles, is not considered to be harmful to highway safety.”

Head teacher Nicola Howe said the plans would provide for the creation of a new library area, four more classrooms and would allow an existing classroom to be turned into an extra hall.

She said that as part of the project the school was planning to turn a piece of land into a running track and long jump area which could be used by children of all ages.

There were 11 letters of objection to the plans, with concerns including poor and unsuitable vehicle access, traffic congestion, inconsiderate parking blocking residents’ driveways, loss of residential amenity, and a reduction in playing space for pupils.

The Council’s highways department said a proposed new delivery vehicle access point was dangerous, and it has now been removed from the plans.

A decision will be made at a meeting of the panel, which is to take place on Thursday, January 17, at 9.45am at City Hall, Bradford.