A DERELICT 17th Century listed building will be restored in plans to convert a former pub into a canteen for an over-subscribed school.

Langley Hall Primary Academy chiefs have submitted plans to convert The Harrow pub (pictured right), in High Street, Langley, into a canteen for pupils.

The school caretaker would also move into the second floor of the former pub - opposite the free school's Station Road site. The Grade II Listed building would be renamed The Harrow Hall.

Pupils, who would be taken to the canteen in groups by teachers, would help grow their own produce for school meals with an on-site vegetable patch.

Sally Eaton, education director for the school, said: "The building could be beautiful, but it hasn't lived up to its potential." The school ploughed �1.6m into refurbishing the Grade II listed Langley Hall before it opened its doors in September 2011.

Mrs Eaton added: "[The Harrow] is another old building in the area that we want to see looking good again. We are proud of the way Langley Hall looks and it's great to have an opportunity to do that to another building." Work includes internal repairs to windows and doors and external lighting and fencing installed.

The planning application states the proposed work 'will protect and enhance the historic environment and re-inforce the character and distinctiveness of the listed building and surrounding areas'. It adds the building is in urgent need of repair and suggests residents would support any development.

The site's 20 car parking spaces would be used by the school, but could be public at weekends.

Vegetables would be produced in the front and side gardens for school dinners and Mrs Eaton said: "We are very keen to have good nutritional meals. We want to make it into an area where pupils can grow cabbages, carrots and tomatoes." If the plans are approved they will be discussed by the Langley Hall Primary Academy Trust before a final decision is made.The property would be rented from its owners.

The school, which has 364 pupils, has 400 children on the waiting list and is searching for new accommodation in Langley to expand from two-form to four-form entry, from reception to Year 6.