And when the new building is complete the existing Palatine Building in the city centre would be demolished exposing the sandstone outcrop on which the original medieval school is built.

The new school has been designed by Roger Stephenson of Stephenson Bell and will sit opposite the main entrance to Victoria Station.

The building is stepped down the slope and will include a 400 seater full orchestra auditorium that could be used as rehearsal space for other orchestras as well as for public events.

There will also be a new bridge to allow pupils to get from the old school to the new across the River Irwell, which runs through the site.

The project is being partially funded by the Government under the Schools For the Future Programme but the remaining money will have to come from grants - and fund raising. The school will also need to buy the vacant site from the current owners Network Rail.

If the plans are given consent, work would start on site next Spring with construction taking two years.