RIDGEWAY High School's multi-million pound redevelopment scheme has been approved.

Councillors on Wirral planning committee voted in favour of a £15m scheme, which will see a new three-storey Secondary school and separate Sports Hall built, when it met on Tuesday.

Headteacher Tony Taylor told the Globe: "We're absolutely thrilled with this decision. The new building will provide first-class facilities for students and the local community.

"The project is part of a batch of 12 schools across the Northwest earmarked for redevelopment - there are four secondary and eight primary schools in total - so it's great to be part of the project.

"The number of pupils will stay the same, but the standard of facilities will increase."

Letters were sent to 72 nearby properties and a notice was posted on the school's site. One letter of support has been received and addition a qualifying petition of 69 signatures has been received.

Those against were concerned the building would be too close to houses, result in noise and light pollution. There were also fears that it would lead to a loss of privacy to houses to the south of the site.

Mr Taylor added: "There had been some opposition, but I've had the full backing of the local community."

The report to planners said Sport England, Wirral Wildlife and the council's head of environment and regulation were all approached as part of the consultation process and have no objection to work going ahead. A decision on the scheme was deferred on December 18 for a site visit.

The school was built in the 1970s and the buildings are predominantly two-storey flat roofed concrete structures which appear in need of renovation.

The existing school has the capacity to accommodate 825 pupils. Although the number of pupils is currently lower than this, pupil numbers could increase without the need for planning permission.

A report to planners said: "The existing site consists of a variety of different structures as the school has expanded on an ad-hoc basis. These buildings now are old and inefficient and do not provide a modern learning environment.

"The proposals will result in a new school building which provides improved learning facilities and improved sports facilities."