PROPOSALS for a school kindergarten at a Hampshire beauty spot are to be discussed today.

Plans have been submitted to build a building which would house 12 children at the Itchen Valley Country Park in West End.

The classroom would be a metal building, described as a “modified container” in a fenced area of woodland.

The plan also includes a wooden storage shed and separate toilet facilities and has been submitted by landowner Eastleigh Borough Council.

Parents would use the current overflow car park and no additional footpaths would be needed.

It would be run by country park officers as a new addition to the existing range of activities delivered by the Itchen Valley Forest School.

The building would cater for pre-school children between three and five years old, with four new part-time members of staff, and will operate from 8.30am to 3pm during school term times.

There could also be forest school educational activities during the school holiday period.

No residents have objected.

A forest school, which offers hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment, has operated within the park since 2010 and has grown in popularity, the council officer's report said.

He said though the container building was not considered appropriate permanently it would be an addition to the existing services provided by the Itchen Valley Forest School and if successful the council was likely to apply for a permanent structure in future.

It is recommended for temporary permission for five years.

This will be discussed by councillors at a Hedge End, West End and Botley Local Area Committee meeting at the Hedge End 2000 Centre, in St John's Road, Hedge End, at 7pm.