PLANS for a 12 classroom block at one of the county's leading girls' schools have been welcomed by town councillors.

The controversial proposal involves Beaconsfield High School selling off a section of its playing field to property developers to finance the bid.

The classroom block is one of three applications put in for the school to build on the site.

Beaconsfield Town Council objected to a proposal at a planning meeting earlier this month for five houses on the school's playing field, part of which would be sold to developers.

They objected to a plan to put three homes on the site of the caretaker's house.

However, the application for the classrooms was supported by the council, which declared 'no objection' to the building of the block, which will provide the school with improved sports facilities.

Cllr Graham Smith (Con, North Ward) said he fully supported the application for the classroom block.

He added: "The school needs this block.

"They are not adding to the size of the school, just replacing temporary classrooms with permanent ones.

"The children have been in temporary classrooms for too long."

Dave Preston, deputy headteacher at the school, said he was pleased with the town council backing.

"We are very pleased that the council has endorsed our plans to replace the classrooms.

"If we are able to replace the classrooms and carry out our other plans it will be a tremendous improvement in the environment for the girls."

The plans now have to go before the South Bucks District Council's planning committee.