A SECONDARY school's plan to extend its car park has been hit by another last-minute delay.

A planning application was put forward by Nunnery Wood High School in Spetchley Road in Worcester to build a 34-space car park as the over-subscribed school plans to expand by 150 pupils in the next couple of years.

The application had been sent to the city council’s planning committee for a decision at the request of Councillor Chris Mitchell, chairman of the planning committee, over the “justification provided for the increase in parking and loss of green space” according to a planning report.

Whilst a decision was expected at the city council planning meeting on Thursday (February 20), the planning application was pulled from the agenda at the last minute after late information had been submitted and could not be considered in time.

It is now likely the application will be decided at next month's planning meeting - three months later than planned.

A decision was expected to be made on the car park in December last year but was rescheduled to allow for the council’s planning committee to decide on the plan.

The school said it wants to expand its car park to avoid further issues on the already-congested Spetchley Road which is used by students and staff at Worcester Sixth Form College, County Hall and Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The planning report revealed by the council last week said the planning application had indicated “more than sufficient detail” to justify approving it and was considered “well-designed” in addressing existing parking problems at the school.

Council planning officers had also recommended the plan was approved.

In the planning application, Mark Skyrme, director of business and operations at Nunnery Wood, said more spaces were needed to accommodate casual music teachers and part-time exam invigilators and it was "vitally important" the school did all it could to stop people parking in Spetchley Road.

Neighbours had raised concerns about the plan saying the current park park was not properly used and there was no need to tarmac over more grass.

Neighbours were also concerned light pollution, if more lights were installed, would effect the privacy of their back gardens and have a negative effect on wildlife.