The Town Hall has given the green light to a planning application from two Luton schools for them to extend and link.

Downside Infant and Junior Schools in Chaul End Lane can now put the ball in motion to start works to construct new sports halls, a link block and external canopies, expand buildings to provide new classrooms, remove temporary buildings, revise the existing car park and site access, refurbish existing buildings and create a new playing field layout.

Other extensions include a new reception year extension and extra classrooms to take the schools from a three-form entry to a five-form entry.

But the new buildings will not affect neighbours living nearby in Chaul End Lane and Carisbrooke Road, which are described as 'a significant distance away'.

The changes will mean the school roll will increase from 659 pupils across both sites to 1050 students over a three year period.

Staff numbers will increase by 25 to 125.

Luton Borough Council's development control committee granted planning permission on December 9, despite one letter of objection from a member of the public.

Works on the 2.5 hectare site must begin within three years.

It is expected that the most significant change to the layout of the school will be the external areas and improvements to the pedestrian and vehicle entrances from Chaul End Lane.

The development hopes to see the creation of separate access areas for cars and people, with a new pedestrian walkway separated from the car park by a high mesh trellis.

A second secure pedestrian entrance is expected to be added on the northern side of the school.