AN EDUCATION centre for children, who have been excluded from mainstream school, could expand.

Hampshire County Council has applied to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for planning permission to erect a new temporary building to provide extra care group teaching at the Ashwood Education Centre, in Ashwood Way.

The new building will be used for secondary age children at the centre, and will provide these older pupils with access to a wider range of support and facilities.

Ashwood Education Centre currently has 44 children between the ages of five and 16.

At present, the educational centre has 10 full-time members of staff and 13 part-time staff, but as part of the new development, an additional two full-time employees and eight part-time members of staff could be employed.

A new access road into the site would also be created, during this year’s summer holiday, as well as a staff car park with 20 spaces.

The borough council will give its verdict on the plans in the near future.