INDEPENDENT co-educational day and boarding school Lord Wandsworth College is to undergo refurbishment and extensions to its dining room and kitchens.

The 1,200-acre site, located in Long Sutton, is used by just under 600 pupils, as well as academic and support staff, many of whom live on site.

The school has undergone multiple improvements over the past 60 years, the most recent being the refurbishment of the sports hall in 2015.

A fresh application, submitted to Hart District Council, proposes five changes to the largely unaltered dining rooms and kitchens in order to update its hygiene and energy efficiency.

The design aims to be “contemporary while remaining attractive and in-line with the rest of the campus’ aesthetic”, and will improve the levels of natural lighting and ventilation, as well as enhancing access for disabled pupils, staff and visitors.

Elements of the proposed design include an orangery-style extension added to the dining room with sliding glass doors leading out to an attractive ‘piazza’ with Yorkshire stone pavings and contemporary street furniture.

New staircases on the north east and south west corners will be installed to enhance access to staff rooms and administration offices respectively.

Further extensions will be added to the kitchens to provide offices and changing areas for catering staff.

A final addition of fresh and refrigerated stores will be built behind the college’s ‘Meadowcroft’ admin house, providing a new entrance and car park which ensures delivery lorries will not encounter pedestrian zones, enhancing the safety of students and staff.

To view the plans in full, visit the website public

access.hart.gov.uk and search for application reference 17/01930/FUL.