A SMALL Poole town-centre school is set to double in size over the coming years from 120 to 240 pupils.

To cater for two forms of entry, from 30 to 60 places, Old Town First School and nursery in Green Road needs to expand its buildings.

The two-storey Edwardian school will be supplemented by two two-storey extensions, one on either end of the school.

They will house a new assembly hall and gym, offices, nursery school and IT and library facilities after Poole planners approved the application from the Borough of Poole.

"There is going to be enormous pressure for school places as a consequence of the regeneration and other developments going on in the town," said ward councillor Brian Leverett.

Concern was raised over the future of the tree-shaded school pond and trees in the grounds, which nearby residents are keen to protect.

As a former governor of the school, Cllr Leverett said he had been involved with the pond, which was part of the children's education.

"It is important in this area where trees are extremely rare indeed," he said, calling for a landscaping scheme.

Four trees will have to be removed, to be replaced by five. Cllr Jeff Allen said he was disappointed they did not come under tree preservation orders.

"This is a particularly fine building," he said. "It's probably one of the best old schools we have got in the borough.

"We are going to spoil it. The hall is very bland and boring - it really looks ugly. You could see it on any industrial estate in Poole," he said.

Planning officer Doug Evans said officers were satisfied with the hall and suggested an additional landscaping condition for the site to protect the pool.

First published: September 6, 2005