One of the Norwich area's most oversubscribed schools has been given the green light for a much-needed expansion.

Hethersett Academy, which has been forced to turn away prospective pupils for two years in a row, has been given permission to build a new three-storey teaching block. 

The development will accommodate 12 new classrooms with the aim of increasing the number of places it can offer by 40 children. 

Norwich Evening News: Hethersett AcademyHethersett Academy (Image: Newsquest)

Currently, the outstanding-rated school has 1,115 pupils on its roll. 

The expansion, which will be funded by Norfolk County Council, comes as Hethersett faces a major housing boom. 

Both the Greater Norwich Local Plan and proposals given the green light prior to its publication will see up to 1,375 homes built in Hethersett between 2018 and 2038.

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In 2021, controversial plans for 200 extra homes in the village were approved. 

Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey were also given outline permission in 2013 to build 1,196 homes on the north side of the village.

Local leaders have called for developers to stop building unless they provide adequate infrastructure, such as GPs, dentists and schools, to help cope.

Norwich Evening News: Hethersett has seen a rapid expansion in recent yearsHethersett has seen a rapid expansion in recent years (Image: Denise Bradley)

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Speaking on the new teaching block, a spokeswoman for the county council previously said: "Our schools capital programme and place planning team support growing communities across the county to provide additional places for the future.

"We have an excellent track record of planning for and delivering new school builds and expansions and have been working with the Inspiration Trust for some months on the feasibility of expanding Hethersett Academy to accommodate increasing numbers of children from the area.

"The proposed expansion follows an £8m new teaching block we built there in 2020 with 17 new classrooms and a theatre."

Traditionally, pupils from the village primary school would go on to study at Hethersett - however, a number have instead been given places at Hewett Academy in Norwich.