A PRIVATE school has applied for planning permission to build a new theatre.

Pipers Corner School in Great Kingshill wants to build a new theatre and dance and drama studios with 32 spaces.

The plans propose to knock down four existing timber classroom buildings. It is an independent day and boarding school for 530 girls from aged four to 18.

The application said the school has an excellent reputation for performing arts and has produced a number of talented artists.

The proposals want to build a 278 seat studio style theatre and performing arts studios on two tennis courts at the site.

The application said current drama and dance studios in the Cottesloe Centre on site are remote from the main Landau Hall, where performances take place.

If permission was given the top floor of the Cottesloe Centre, currently used for dance, would become a sixth form centre allowing the current timber building to be converted to a dance studio.

The middle floor of the centre currently used for drama and dance would be converted to a library.

And the tennis courts would be relocated to the open grass area to the south west of the south wing, subject to planning permission.