A HAMPSHIRE school has unveiled plans to replace a dilapidated teaching block with a state-of-the-art complex fit for the 21st century.

Hounsdown School in Jacobs Gutter Lane, Totton, wants to replace a 44-year-old building which is a poor state of repair and showing signs of subsidence.

School governors are asking New Forest District Council for planning permission to build a new facility costing up to £1.5m.

The application includes a report by the school’s building consultants, DHP.

The report says Hounsdown wants to replace a dilapidated single-storey complex housing history classrooms and a learning support area with a similar-sized building.

The report adds: “The current classroom block is one of the original buildings constructed during the early 1970s (and extended during the early 1980s).

“It is now showing its age, is in a poor state of repair, including subsidence, and is of little architectural merit.”

The report says the proposed development will greatly improve the site by providing a well-designed, well-proportioned building which “respects, compliments and enhances the school”.

It adds: “The new building will be modern, functional and fit for purpose.

“It will provide a suitable environment to encourage high quality teaching and learning that reflects the needs and talents of individual students and equips them to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.

“No temporary school accommodation will be required to achieve this as the new block will be sited on another area of the school.“The application is not for any kind of school expansion or any increase in current student numbers.”

Executive head teacher Julie Turvey said the building would be funded by the Department for Education if the scheme was approved.

She added: “We were successful in our bid due to the condition of the current provision which was built in 1974 and has suffered from tree root damage, causing some minor cracks within the classrooms. The new facilities will be well received and appreciated by staff and students alike, supporting the learning of those within our school community.”

Totton and Eling Town Council is supporting the application.

A report to members says: “The proposed new teaching block would replace an existing building of similar size and would be fundamental for the school to ensure pupils are taught in a satisfactory environment.

“The new structure would have more efficient use of space and would be more functional and aesthetically pleasing.”