Westmorland and Furness Council have approved plans to expand Beaconside Church of England Primary School.

The expansion, funded through Section 106 funding provided to the council by housing developers, aims to accommodate a growing community.

The funding is provided by developers to ensure ample school places as new houses are built.

The plan will allow Beaconside to accept more children over time, including 14 new resource provision places for Key Stage 2 children.

These resource provision places provide extra support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They allow SEND students to progress in their learning and take part in mainstream school life.

The council consulted on this expansion proposal last October.

The recent approval means this plan can now move forward, subject to call-in.

Milorad Vasic, director of Children’s Services at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “It’s really important we take the opportunity to utilise this available funding to the benefit of children and young people in Penrith, and ensure that for years to come we have sufficient school places including much needed resource provision supporting our children with additional needs.

“I’m really pleased cabinet have approved plans to proceed with the expansion of Beaconside School and once a contractor is appointed, I’m looking forward to seeing the initial designs for the project.”

Allan Harty, assistant director of Corporate Assets, Fleet and Capital Programme, said: “I’m glad to see this scheme progress as it demonstrates real investment in our communities and highlights the link between developer contributions and improving our school estate.

“The council’s capital programme team deliver almost £60m worth of investment in our communities annually and with our corporate assets team will work with our supply chain to see it through to fruition.”