Plans for a new �3million building at Exmouth Community College have been backed by town planners.

The scheme, conditional on a successful funding application, would include a new 500-seat hall for performing arts, along with a new library, two new classrooms, and a new college reception.

The new arts space would also be used to hold full school assemblies, and the scheme would allow four new classrooms to be created elsewhere in the college.

At a town council planning meeting, Cllr Malcolm Mitchell did raise some concerns about the plan, regarding a lack of wheelchair access to the upper section of the new hall, but councillors were told by the architect that the upstairs provision in the hall was duplicated downstairs, and that pupils in wheelchairs would be able to access the lighting box.

Councillors also raised concerns about parking, but were told that the new hall would not be used any more often than the college’s existing facilities, so there would be no effect on traffic.

Cllr Trevor Cope also said he was unsure why the college was building its own art space, when there were similar facilities available at Rolle College.

Despite these concerns, the plan was recommended for approval by the committee, and will now be considered by East Devon District Council.

The college will find out if its application for a Government Partnerships For Schools grant has been successful at the end of May.