A NEW £6m music building for an Oxford school has been approved.

The building in South Parade for St Edward’s School, in Woodstock Road, was agreed unanimously by all nine councillors at Oxford City Council's west area planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

The school also has long-term plans for a world-class £10m concert hall to hold a full orchestra, which would be made available for the public.

The school’s estate bursar Richard Hayes said: “We can’t see the concert hall happening yet, that is a plan for the future.

“But we are pleased they have approved the music school plans.

“They didn’t really like the first design which was a bit overwhelming and we actually agreed with the planners on that and altered them.

“The school is prepared to spend a lot of money on a good design for the community and its students.”

The concert hall would be on the site of the former Lemon Tree restaurant and neighbouring land which is used by Jack FM radio station.

Work is due to begin on the music school in mid-2015 and the building is expected to open in September 2016.

The music building is not for the public but Mr Hayes said other schools would be invited to use the facilities.

It will have a recital room for 130 students, 20 teaching rooms, three classrooms, a staff room, instrument store and library.

Music space in the school’s existing buildings, Ferguson Music School and an extension, were designed for around 400 lessons a week but currently around 800 are being given in them.

The existing music school, annex, rifle range and storage buildings are to be bulldozed to make way for the build.

Councillors initially had concerns about the height of some of the buildings, which were then lowered in the revised plans.

During the meeting at Oxford Town Hall no councillors raised objections to the plans.

An Oxford City Council statement said: “The proposed new music school building is considered to be, on balance, of a form, scale and general appearance that ensure it will satisfactorily integrate with the South Parade street scene and views from Alexandra Park.”

It added: “The existing buildings are bland and detract from the quality of the street and so officers have no objection to their demolition.”