A HEAD teacher’s decade long struggle for a sports hall at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School is nearly over after planning authorities granted the school permission to start work next month.

The three quarters of a million pound facility will be built on a school playing field, off Bloody Bones Lane, and include a multi-pitch hall, changing rooms, a first floor viewing gallery and function room.

Head David Keetley said: “I am absolutely delighted because the school has been trying to achieve a sports hall for more than ten years.

“It’s been a long time coming so it’s good to get through the planning stage.”

The school is the only specialist sports college in Cumbria not to have a sports hall and Mr Keetley said he was pleased to finally offer students and the community top-class facilities. He said: “We have achieved a lot as a sports college but we have been restricted.

“But this is also a much-needed community facility.”

The four-court hall, designed to Sports England recommendations, will cater for netball, badminton, basketball, cricket and volleyball and could be hired for public use until 10pm during the week.

Jeanette Cooper, of Kirkby Stephen Town Council, said she was delighted that work was going to start so soon.

She added: “The town council backed the planning decision and we’re really pleased that it’s finally going to happen.

“As a mum it will be good to have somewhere locally for children to play sport after years of transporting them to Appleby.”

The school has raised £500,000 towards the cost of the building but still needs around £250,000 to complete the job.

Mr Keetley said: “We are trying to finalise funding arrangements and it may be a phased build. Work will start in three weeks on the hall and the shell of the building.”