A school has been given the green light to build an outdoor shelter in its woodland area.

Marchwood Junior School said the development will provide a learning zone for pupils and the community.

The school in Main Road, which has around 300 pupils, sought formal confirmation from New Forest District Council that its proposal was lawful.

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A letter submitted as part of the application by headteacher Dan Hoskins said: “The shelter would be able to provide a structure for community events such as art/photography classes, events such as animal watch and pupils learning experiences centring on wildlife and biodiversity.

“Building this structure would also allow us to enhance this area into an outdoor welfare centre as we intend to introduce a wildflower area, install more bird boxes, hedgehog houses, butterfly and bee houses to promote wildlife and people’s mental wellbeing.”

The proposed location for the shelter is 38 metres from the nearest boundary and it is encapsulated by trees.

The area is not currently used by the school, with it having to be “constantly” cut back and sprayed to prevent bramble and weed growth, the letter from Mr Hoskins said.

He added that power would be provided for lighting and educational devices by a lightweight transportable solar panel and battery unit.

The timber structure will be 4.8 metres by 12.8 metres and 3.3 metres high.

Currently, the area is not being used and is constantly being cut and sprayed to prevent bramble and weed growth.

The proposed location of the outbuilding is 38 metres away from the nearest boundary and encapsulated by trees.

The overall site area is 7.92 acres and the proposed structure is 61.44m2 and 3.3 metres high.

Construction was expected to take four to six weeks, weather permitting.

Planning officers issued the lawful development certificate on August 20.

Marchwood Junior School remained ‘outstanding’ following an ungraded Ofsted inspection in June.

A report by inspector Lizzie Jeanes said: “Pupils become confident and increasingly independent over their time at school.

“They are happy and safe. They value the warm and trusting relationships they build with the adults in school.”