A new two-storey sports facility is coming to a school in Reading.

The sports hall at Leighton Park School will be mostly used by the school but can also be used by the community on weekday evenings and weekends.

The proposal was recommended for approval by council officers and backed by all councillors on the Planning Committee, on Wednesday, 24 April.

Councillor Rose McEwan said: “I really like this proposal.

“I am really pleased that it details the community use which I think will be really beneficial.”

The facility will be built on area of open space and requires the removal of 13 trees which will be replaced elsewhere.

Council officers said the space is currently of little usable function for recreation and the loss of open space and trees would be balanced by the benefits.

The school currently has a small gymnasium, the size of a badminton court.

The building will include six badminton courts, a full-size basketball court and a fitness suite.

Changing rooms, office space and a first aid room will also be located within the building.

The plans also include an external viewing gallery.

During term time, the community use would be restricted to 18:30 – 21:00 Monday to Friday and 09:30 – 19:30 on Sunday. There would be a similar arrangement during school holidays.

Last month, the school opened the Michael Malnick Centre for Music and Media, which includes three new music classrooms, seven additional recording studios, a Yamaha Live Lounge studio and a digital media studio.

Leighton Park is the only school in Europe to be a Yamaha Flagship Music Education Partner.

The school is located in 60 acres of parkland just outside Reading town centre, and is a co-educational quaker day and boarding school for students aged 11-18 years.