A PRIVATE girls school is seeking permission to freshen up its old facilities.

Talbot Heath School has submitted an application to demolish its 1970s modular block and swimming pool facilities and build a new "high quality, iconic building" containing various departments, as well as enclosing the pool.

The scheme has received one objection, from a Queen's Park resident calling on the school to provide a better transport plan.

The school's application states that the existing facilities "are coming to the end of their life span and contain asbestos", and that the proposed building is "adapted to suit both students and the local community".

It states: "The ground floor accommodates a refreshment area, offering a view into the swimming pool for waiting parents, and a large 600-person auditorium, which can also be split into three distinctive teaching spaces.

"The first floor is the drama department, with storage, access to back stage and additional balconies which double up as teaching spaces.

"Finally, the second floor is the art department, with a whole floor, including the circulation spaces dedicated to art and design.

"The swimming pool will be covered with a new building and house accessible changing facilities and an upgraded plant room with electrical distribution for the entire school site and a boiler which also heats the sports hall."

The plans have the backing of Sport England.

In a letter of objection, Daniel Holloway, of Howard Road, said the area around the school is affected by the number of students being dropped off by car.

"Part of the aim is to recruit 50 more pupils and to attract the wider community, and it therefore constitutes a significant expansion of activities at the site," he said.

"Although it would be a worthy enterprise, its ambition is not matched by the included transport assessment which is incomplete and highlights the school's weak commitment to the promotion of environmentally-friendly travel, particularly within the borough of Bournemouth.

"This proposal requires significantly more focus on the promotion of sustainable and environmentally-friendly access to the site.

"The car usage level is already unacceptable and if it were to increase, it would be of further detriment to the area."

The school's transport statement notes that it operates 10 minibuses which transport 151 students, however only 6-10 cycle regularly. For additional pupils the school expects some to use the minibus and proposes to create more parking spaces "in tree restricted areas".

"The school wishes to encourage cycle use and at least some walking for part of the journey to and from school but this must be done with safety and wellbeing in mind," it states.