A Hove school is to set to get permission for a new £3.6 million sixth form block – after overwhelming backing from the community.

Cardinal Newman Catholic School, in The Upper Drive, believes its plans for a new three-storey building would allow it to accommodate another 150 pupils in its sixth form.

After more than 100 people submitted letters of support for the scheme, Brighton and Hove City Council’s officers have recommended the proposal is approved when discussed by councillors tomorrow.

According to a statement on the school website, the block would provide facilities “equivalent to that of universities”.

Headteacher James Kilmartin said: “We are all very excited about this project. Our sixth form is the most popular and successful in the city.”

It comes as the school looks to expand its sixth form college from 450 pupils currently to 600 by September 2014.

Solar panels The building is proposed mainly on an existing car park located on the north side of the school and takes up part of the playing field area. It would include classrooms, a lecture theatre, a common room, a café, offices, a media room and a library.

The scheme also involves relocating 40 car parking spaces and installing solar panels on the nearby Newman building.

Three people have objected to the proposal, with one resident claiming it would lead to more traffic noise, loss of privacy, parking problems in neighbouring streets and disturbance.

In contrast 108 letters of support have been received, with supporters claiming it would help ease pressure on secondary school places, while improving education standards in the city.

A decision will be taken at a meeting of the council’s planning committee in Hove Town Hall tomorrow at 2pm.

If granted by councillors, officers have recommended the school pays £45,600 for pedestrian and cycle improvements in The Upper Drive and Dyke Road.

The proposal is the latest in a wider development of the campus. This includes the £2.6 million Benedict building for technology lessons, which opened in 2011, and a £750,000 refurbishment of the basement in the school’s original building, which was unveiled last year.