A girls' school has submitted plans for a brand new multi-storey teaching block.

If approved at Highsted grammar, Highsted Road, Sittingbourne, the part three-storey and part two-storey building would replace an existing temporary block.

The application comes as the school looks to add a "fit for purpose" teaching facility on the site.

The new block is proposed for the western side of the school, close to an already existing teaching centre.

Originally, there were concerns the development would be too close to the neighbouring Grade-II listed almhouses.

A planning document sent to Swale council said: "The existing gap between the school buildings and these forms an important feature in my opinion, which currently preserves the setting of the listed buildings by providing a clear distinction between the school buildings and these properties.

"The infilling of this space by a large two/three-storey block would fail to preserve the setting of the listed building and would cause unacceptable harm to these designated heritage assets."

The revised submission changes the orientation of the building and sets the block as far from the western boundary as is reasonably possible to overcome these concerns.

A planning statement concluded: "The proposal will provide an improvement to the educational offer at the school, which is a material consideration of significant weight in determining the application.

"The principle of development is clear and this document demonstrates that there are no adverse impacts that would outweigh the benefits of the proposed development.

"On the basis of the foregoing, it is respectfully requested that planning permission is approved."

You can view the planning application here, with reference 22/505762/FULL.

Highsted Grammar has been approached for comment.