ONE of Hampshire’s smallest schools could be about to get a little bigger after drawing up plans to save part of a listed building.

Civic chiefs have praised an application to turn a former garage into an art studio that could also be used to stage an annual concert.

The New Forest Small School, which only has 70 pupils, is based in an old police station in Southampton Road, Lyndhurst.

Head teachers Nicholas and Alison Alp want to refurbish the garage and convert it into extra classroom space in a scheme expected to cost about £30,000.

Mr Alp told members of the National Park Authority (NPA): “This is all about repairing an old building and keeping it alive.”

Mr Alp cited the lack of communal space in the main complex and said staff needed somewhere that could be used as a studio, an exam hall for pupils sitting their GCSEs and a venue for plays, concerts and meetings.

Planning officers were authorised to approve the proposal, subject to outstanding issues over noise being resolved.