A city prep school has been given the go-ahead to build a “rustic outdoor classroom” in its forest school area.

RGS Springfield in Britannia Square has permission from the council to build the timber structure, which will be six metres in diameter.

The roundhouse will be supported on tree trunk posts that sit on concrete or stone flags over a solid base, and will have a sedum roof covering.

Plans for the roundhouse were supported by the Britannia Square Residents Association.

Planning officers, approving the proposals, said the roundhouse would serve as a “rustic outdoor classroom”.

They said: “This location has been specifically selected to avoid removal of any trees.

“At its closest point, the proposed roundhouse will be 11m from the main school buildings, set amongst mature trees and from outside the site in Britannia Square, only the green roof will be visible atop the perimeter beech hedge at this point.

“It is considered that the roundhouse is appropriate to its setting and not detrimental to the setting of the listed building.

“The construction can be easily removed with minimal impact and materials used can all be recycled.”