THE multi-million pound refurbishment of an Oxford Primary School has taken a step in the right direction after years of delays.

The £6m expansion of Bayards Hill Primary School in Barton was initially promised in 2006, but Sport England objected because it would mean losing playing fields.

Even though the objection was later over-ruled on appeal, when the Coalition Government came to power in May 2010 budget cuts meant the project was unaffordable.

It took until January last year for Oxfordshire County Council to find £6.6m of funding for the project, allowing new plans to be drawn up.

Now a fresh planning application has been submitted, setting out Oxfordshire County Council’s ambitions for the site.

The proposal includes the demolition of an existing teaching wing, gym and kitchen and the construction of a new two-storey block.

A new foundation stage extension is also included, as well as a new car park and pedestrian entrance on Bayswater Road.

Bayards Hill School, which also houses the county council’s music service, was built in the 1950s.

Headteacher Keith Ponsford has been at the school for six years and believes the building has long needed improvement. He said: “The building is not fit for purpose.

“It was built as a secondary school and has never been a true primary school because it has big sprawling wings.

“What this new, exciting plan does is bring it all together.

“This building has had its day and it will benefit the children to have a better environment.

“The county council was in a very difficult position after the financial problems it had, and full credit to it for developing this. We are very grateful.

“The first time around we were disappointed so, at the moment, we are taking it step-by-step.”

The school has 426 pupils. The refurbishment does not mean it will take on more children.

Parts of the school which are not being knocked-down and rebuilt will be refurbished to make them fit in with the new buildings.

The planning application will be considered by the county council rather than Oxford City Council, the planning authority. This is because the county council has the power to determine applications for buildings it owns, such as schools.