The long-term future of a Dudley school will become clearer next month when proposals to build a new dining hall and classrooms are considered by planning officials.

The scheme at Hillcrest School and Community College could eventually pave the way for the transfer of 400 pupils from crumbling Northfield Primary School to new buildings at Hillcrest in Simms Lane.

Dudley Council’s Directorate of Buildings and Estates has applied to erect a new canteen and teaching block at Hillcrest and planning officers must give their verdict on the project by October 15.

The authority’s development control committee will then decide whether to rubber-stamp or reject the expansion. If the building work gets the green light, it could be seen as a sign the Northfield plans are also likely to go ahead.

Council education chiefs have confirmed they want to bulldoze the dilapidated Northfield site and provide new facilities for the school’s students at Hillcrest.

The plans have divided the Northfield school community. More than 50 angry parents, teachers and governors filled Netherton Arts Centre in February to protest.

They voiced fears that Hillcrest students would lead younger pupils astray, aired concerns about traffic surrounding the site and claimed the extra distance many children would have to travel from homes in the Darby End area would put them in danger. However, Northfield Road headteacher Paul Moore has backed the move, saying the Hillcrest site is “fantastic”.

The council has earmarked £6 million of government cash to rebuild the Victorian school, with relocating to Hillcrest said to be the preferred option.

Opponents have expressed reservations, particularly to do with the issue of traffic. The proposals form part of the council’s Primary Capital Programme.