Borough planners have rubber-stamped an application to construct a single-storey extension at Ashley High School in Widnes with four new classrooms. Last year Halton Council signed off an increase of pupil places for 11-19-year-olds from 112 to 152 at the Cawfield Avenue secondary. It followed a grant from the Department for Education (DfE) of £2.1m to expand Halton’s existing provision for pupils and students with high needs. An extension to the car park, expanding capacity from 35 to 45, including four accessible spaces and two electric vehicle charging spaces, has also been approved. According to planning documents the expansion will also lead to the hiring of six additional staff.