Plans to redevelop a school in Wrexham look set to be approved after a community leader said it would provide "significantly improved facilities".

Children at Ysgol Yr Hafod in Johnstown are currently taught at two separate sites in the village, depending on which age group they fall into.

An application was put forward last month in a bid to bring all pupils under the same roof.

The scheme would result in three new classrooms being created to house infant school pupils at the Bangor Road site, where junior students are based.

The existing building would also be refurbished to accommodate a total of 350 pupils overall.

The proposals, which are due to be considered by councillors next week, have been recommended to go ahead by a senior Wrexham Council official.

They have also received the backing of Johnstown representative David A Bithell, who said concerns over parking at the site had been addressed.

In his response to the plans, Cllr Bithell said: “I fully support the refurbishment of a new primary school to meet the 21st century school standards at the Bangor Road site, including the refurbishment of the school house, and amendments to the highway layout.

“This will provide significantly improved facilities and classroom environments for our children and young people.

“I have held a public meeting to discuss the matter with local residents in the community, and I am happy to confirm that there appears to be general support for the proposal.

“I am aware of, and have received, some feedback regarding the impacts of parental parking near to the school, but I am happy with the mitigation measures proposed as part of the application.”

A total of four objections have been received by people living near the school because of concerns over the impact on parking and traffic.

Two letters of support have also been submitted to the council, with one person describing the plans as "a great idea".

The proposals would also result in the creation of a new staff car park and multi-use games area.

While work is being carried out to the junior school, pupils would move into two temporary teaching blocks based at the infant school site, each containing four classrooms.

In a report recommending the plans for approval, Lawrence Isted, the local authority's chief planning officer, said: “The proposed development is acceptable in terms of scale and design, and there would be no detrimental impact upon local residential or visual amenity.

“The highway authority is satisfied that the proposed merging of the infant and junior schools, onto this single site, is acceptable in terms of highway safety.

“I am therefore satisfied that the development complies with local planning policies.”

The application will be considered by planning committee members at a meeting on Monday (November 1, 2021).