A MULTI-MILLION pound expansion of a Southampton school has moved a step closer to completion.

Proposals for the second expansion of Springwell School have now been lodged by Southampton City Council.

The plans include the construction of a single-storey and a two-storey extension to the primary school.

As a result, the school, which caters for children with moderate and severe learning difficulties, will have the space to create up to 24 classrooms by 2021.

Proposals include the creation of hall and kitchen, as well as a multi-use games area (MUGA) and a new car park for the school.

Southampton City Council, who are behind the plans, say the expansion will help provide more special schools places for the city.

It will also allow children currently being taught on temporary sites elsewhere in Southampton to move to Springwell School.

However, the move has been met with concern by some neighbouring residents, with particular issue raised over the noise impact of the MUGA.

Commenting on the plans, one resident said: “Our key concern is any potential noise disturbance from the use of the proposed MUGA, affecting occupiers of any neighbouring residential properties. “However, there are control measures in place and as such we have no objections to this proposal.”

The council plan that the MUGA will only be used between 4pm and 9pm during the week in term time and only between 9am and 9pm on weekends and holidays.

The authority added that community use of the MUGA is expected to be confined to controlled pre?arranged use of the facility by established groups.

As previously reported by the Echo, Southampton City Council plan to invest £9.6million in the plans, having already earmarked more than £1.5m for the first phase.

That development consisted of the construction of a single-storey building with six classrooms and allowed the number of pupils to grow from 64 to 112 and staff from 125 to 161.