PLANS for teaching pods at a Tyne Valley middle school have been passed unanimously.

Three garden room teaching pods will be installed at Corbridge Middle School to allow pupils to catch up on work missed due to Covid.

The pods will measure 3.5m x 3.5m in floor area and have height of 2.8m.

They will be located within school grounds on an existing grassed area, to the east of school buildings and to the west of residential properties on The Riggs and Chantry Estate.

Documentation submitted in support of the application states the pods are required “to meet the functional and operational requirements of both staff and the general public” and to “support their ‘Covid-19 catch up’ work with pupils”.

Planning officers had recommended the application should be granted as they said it had been considered against the relevant local planning policies and the National Planning Policy Framework and it was considered the proposed development was appropriate in the context of its location.

They said it would not be detrimental to the character of the building, the amenity of neighbours or the surrounding area and would be in accordance with the development plan and the NPPF.

At a meeting of the Tynedale Local Area Council on Tuesday (June 14), all members voted unanimously to approve the plans.

During discussion, Coun. Cath Homer said: “I don’t see any detriment and I think it’s the type of application we should be supporting.”

Corbridge parish public footpath No.8 (public right of way reference 513/008) will be protected throughout the approved works.