St Ivo School will be building a new £1.6million performing arts block.

The St Ives school, in High Leys, has planning permission for a two-storey facility with dance and drama studios. There will also be music rooms for practice and teaching, plus changing areas.

Three temporary classrooms will be removed to make way for the new building.

The rooms will be soundproofed and, to protect the privacy of nearby homes, the first floor windows on the north side will feature ‘obscure’ glass.

Tracy Roden, director of business and resources at St Ivo School, said: “Planning has been approved recently for a much-needed performing arts block for St Ivo school. “Huntingdonshire District Council and ourselves have taken into consideration neighbour concerns wherever possible and our original plans have been altered slightly to ensure their concerns are addressed.

“It may be open to the public potentially, although this has not been greatly explored.”

A petition launched to oppose the location of the building was signed by 18 residents who were concerned about privacy issues, noise, restriction of sunlight and parking.

One objector Brian Fereday, 74, a retired operations engineer of High Leys, added: “My primary concern was the sound. They have done what I asked really but I can sympathise with others.

“It is very much in the face for the other properties that are quite close to the school’s boundary fence.”