A school in Ely has won planning permission to refurbish a classroom block.

King’s Ely applied for planning permission to carry out major works to its Cherry Hill block, which sit at the heart of the city’s conservation area, off Barton Road.

The school has been granted permission from East Cambridgeshire District Council to remove a wooden staircase and create a new entrance lobby, rain canopies and roof coverings as well as removing and replacing all windows in the block.

The classrooms sit in close proximity to the Grade I listed monastic barns, which enjoy protected status.

Surveyors working for the school said: “The classroom block is not attached to any of the main listed buildings on the site and, with the structure being modern in design, the changes to the fenestration and removal of the external staircase will be an improvement visually and would not affect the setting of the nearby listed buildings.

“Its redesign will contribute to the general setting of the conservation area.”