PLANS for a £200,000 pre-school in King’s Somborne have been given the green light.

Borough councillors in Test Valley unanimously approved the proposal for the new building on the site next to King’s Somborne Village Hall.

The new facility will also be just metres away from King’s Somborne C of E Primary School and will be able to accommodate up to 32 children aged between two and five-years-old.

King’s Somborne Parish Council, which put the application forward, said that when not used as a pre-school, the building will be “occasionally” used as a community centre, hosting events from breakfast clubs to lectures and yoga session.

The proposal was debated on Tuesday night and approved by councillors.

Cllr Nick Adams-King, planning portfolio holder at Test Valley Borough Council, said: “I’m pleased we were able to support the community by approving the building which provides a permanent home for the pre-school. The pre-school is a thriving and positive addition to the village, helping make the community and local school sustainable. We listened to the concerns of neighbours and ensured the risk of disturbance was lessened by including conditions requiring noise insulation for the building and improved landscaping around it.”

The money for the new building will come from Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire County Council and some European funding.

King’s Somborne councillor Tony Ward said the building will be a pre-fabricated building.

He also confirmed construction work is set to start next week and is expected to be completed by June 10.

He described the facility as much-needed for the community and added: “This is going to be really great. It is a benefit for the community.”.

He said the new building will also free up more space in the village hall which is currently used by the pre-school and will allow children and teachers to run afternoon and breakfast clubs.

He also said that when it is not used by the pre-school the new building could be used by the community for a range of events such as exhibitions and talks.

As previously reported, more than 60 local residents sent letters to the borough council to support the application.