A YORK university says it “urgently” needs more teaching space as it turns to portable buildings to help meet demand for courses.

The University of York is seeking permission to use two of the buildings on the site of its physics and electronics department car park, part of the Heslington West campus, as temporary space for up to 60 staff and students until proposals for a new, permanent teaching centre are moved forward in 2016/17.

The portable buildings would be needed for up to five years, and will later be used to house departments which have to move as plans to upgrade Heslington West continue.

The university’s planning consultants said tuition fees and other changes in higher education meant more teaching time has to be provided and there is no space for extra sessions within existing department buildings.