A PRIMARY school will welcome more than 200 extra pupils when an expansion agreed by councillors is completed.

George Tomlinson Primary, in Vernon Road, Leytonstone, applied for a new single-storey block and a three-storey extension to existing classrooms.

The proposals will also see the school hall expanded.

The changes will allow the school to teach three forms a year instead of the current two, increasing the total number of pupils to 630.

There will also be a rise of full-time staff from 44 to 60, while part-time staff will increase from 22 to 36.

The authority said no objections were lodged to the plans and the planning committee approved the application unanimously.

The work is expected to take place in phases over the next seven years.

Last year the council said that 48 new primary school classrooms were needed across the borough by 2012 to meet demand.

This has prompted a number of expansions across the borough.

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