St Anselm's Catholic School, in Canterbury, launches plans for new, socially distanced dining area
Published: 06:00, 15 January 2021
A secondary school has drawn up plans for a new dining area to cater for pupils during the Covid pandemic.
St Anselm's, in Canterbury, says the covered 'breakout space' will enable pupils to eat lunch under a steel-framed canopy on the school's playground.
The proposals - submitted to the city council by the Old Dover Road school's deputy business manager, Tracey Richardson - will be determined in the coming weeks.
The plans state the new seating area, which will be fully enclosed thanks to glass panels on the sides, could be utilised in all weathers.
As well as being used during lunchtime, the covered area is planned to have multi-uses.
Documents attached to the planning application state: "The school is looking to expand the breakout space available to the students with the provision of a canopy that is of sustainable and attractive design, which will provide covered seating areas and will be usable in all weathers.
"This requirement for additional space has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic and the guidelines regarding social distancing.
"It will provide the school with enhanced dining, seating and breakout space for its students, which will be suitable for use in all weathers, especially important in the current climate.
"The school states the new design will be in-keeping with the surrounding architecture and create a "safe external space for students".
Read more: All the latest news from Canterbury
More by this author
Joe Wright