A PRIMARY school in Malvern is to get a £45,000 facelift to its entrance, reception area and bathroom facilities.

Plans to give the Grove Primary School, Picker-sleigh Grove, a bright and welcoming entrance have been approved by Malvern Hills District Council planning officers using delegated powers.

The school was created last year by merging the neighbouring infants and junior schools and Worcestershire County Council applied for permission to develop a new entrance and reception area, larger offices, new staff rooms, a covered walkway between the two school building complexes and new bathroom facilities suitable for disabled pupils.

This is the second phase of work to be undertaken at the school. Phase one involves creating more parking spaces and a turning area for buses.

Malcolm Williams, Worc-estershire County Council’s head of property services, said: “Phase one of the works, which are currently on-site, will give the school more parking spaces and a bus turning area. People living in the area have previously exp-ressed their concerns regarding the parking situation in nearby roads.

“We have listened and their views helped prompt this extensive work aiming to make things better for everyone connected to, or living near, the school.”

Phase one of the work is imminent and phase two, which is expected to take about 22 weeks, is planned to start at the end of this year.

“The main idea behind phase two of the works is to give the new school a bright and welcoming front-of-house that will bring reception staff tog-ether under one roof.”