New dining and teaching facilities will form part of a new building at a Norwich school which has been given the green light by planners.

Eastern Daily Press: Town Close School headmaster Nicholas Bevington. Picture: Town Close SchoolTown Close School headmaster Nicholas Bevington. Picture: Town Close School (Image: Submitted)

Town Close School's plans for the new building at its 15-acre site off Newmarket Road have been approved by Norwich City Council.

It will include a purpose built kitchen and dining hall as well as new teaching facilities for art, music and science.

Nicholas Bevington, headmaster at the independent preparatory school, said: "The new extension will provide state-of-the-art science laboratories, a spacious, light-filled art room and the opportunity to bring together the school's wealth of music provision.

"The heart of our new development will be a beautiful contemporary dining hall, which will visually bridge the playground and garden spaces and, in so doing, provide a calm, nurturing environment for our pupils and staff."

Eastern Daily Press: Artist's impression of the new building at Town Close School, which has been granted planning permission. The building will include new dining, arts and science facilities. Picture: Franklin Ellis ArchitectsArtist's impression of the new building at Town Close School, which has been granted planning permission. The building will include new dining, arts and science facilities. Picture: Franklin Ellis Architects (Image: Franklin Ellis Architects)

To support the construction project Town Close School has launched a fundraising initiative, the Town Close 2020 Fund, and is looking to partner with educational trusts and charities to support for the project.

The school said the fund will also accept donations to support means-tested bursaries for students who show an aptitude for science, art or music.

David Bolton, chairman of governors, said: "This is a wonderful time for Town Close; completion of the final phase of the school's current development plan will enable us to provide even more exceptional opportunities to our pupils and to better prepare them for the wider world."

In 2016 Town Close School and its landlord, Town Close Estate Charity, purchased the site the school has occupied since it was founded in 1932. Improvements in the last decade include a new sports hall and the Read Hall for music and drama.

Eastern Daily Press: Artist's impression of the new building at Town Close School, which has been granted planning permission. The building will include new dining, arts and science facilities. Picture: Franklin Ellis ArchitectsArtist's impression of the new building at Town Close School, which has been granted planning permission. The building will include new dining, arts and science facilities. Picture: Franklin Ellis Architects (Image: Franklin Ellis Architects)

Other schools in Norwich are currently planning upgrades to their facilities.

Norwich School has submitted plans to build a new dining block and re-landscape part of its site near Cathedral Close, as well as applying to increase the height of its school walls following safety concerns.

Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form is also planning to build a new dining block - and is asking members of the public for help to fund it.

Eastern Daily Press: Artist's impression of the new building at Town Close School, which has been granted planning permission. The building will include new dining, arts and science facilities. Picture: Franklin Ellis ArchitectsArtist's impression of the new building at Town Close School, which has been granted planning permission. The building will include new dining, arts and science facilities. Picture: Franklin Ellis Architects (Image: Franklin Ellis Architects)

Eastern Daily Press: Artist's impression of the new building at Town Close School, which has been granted planning permission. The building will include new dining, arts and science facilities. Picture: Franklin Ellis ArchitectsArtist's impression of the new building at Town Close School, which has been granted planning permission. The building will include new dining, arts and science facilities. Picture: Franklin Ellis Architects (Image: Franklin Ellis Architects)