The King’s School has been granted planning permission for a performing arts centre and international college in the city.

The ambitious £28 million scheme involves converting the Victorian-built Malthouse off St Stephen’s Road into a theatre and building an 80-bed residential college for overseas students.

The school has bought the 3.5-acre site from Barretts, which will relocating some of its motor trade operations, including a body shop and vehicle servicing centre, at the end of April.

The scheme, which also includes a multi-games court, was welcomed by city council planning committee members on Tuesday, where it was described as a positive use of the land.

Councillors were especially impressed with the sympathetic plans for the conversion of the Malthouse and the reinstatement of some of its architectural features.

Cllr Ian Thomas said: “It’s a superb use of the site which will bring it back to life.”

Planning officer Bernard Haasbroek recommended the committee approve the plans but said there had been some concerns from neighbours about the scale of the buildings.

Others urged more care to be given to wildlife, including slow worms and hedgehogs.

But councillors were told the site would be far greener than it currently is, with tree planting and landscaping.

King’s School bursar Mark Taylor says the huge investment demonstrates the school’s commitment to providing the very best facilities for its 850 pupils.

“We are extremely excited about the project and hope to see both the performing arts centre, which will be available for wider community use, and new college up and running by September 2018.”