The school was targeted by arsonists in 2000

Pupils at the 1,200-strong Lytchett Minster School in Dorset have been taught in temporary classrooms since the arson attack in 2000.

The �8.8m project is the first phase of its much-needed redevelopment.

The revamp had been held up by the discovery that a rare tree earmarked for removal was found to be nationally important and could not be touched.

We now owe it to pupils, both present and future, to press on together without further delay Councillor Angus Campbell

The first phase now planned will see the removal of the mobile classrooms and the conversion of the land to playing fields.

The school's managers have also called for a new dining area to be included at an extra cost of �2.2m.

The council has agreed to that in principle but the spend must first be approved by the authority's asset management group.

Councillor Angus Campbell, the county council's cabinet member for education , said: "We can all agree that the priority must be to get the young people out of the mobile village and into excellent new buildings as soon as is humanly possible.

"We have a way forward and substantial capital is committed.

"We now owe it to pupils, both present and future, to press on together without further delay."

If the plans win planning permission, work will start in Summer 2005 and will finish in December 2006.