A decision was due be reached this week on whether a site in Whiteley is suitable for a new Church of England primary school.
The 210-place school being proposed by the Portsmouth and Winchester Dioceses is a one-form entry Church of England Voluntary Aided primary school on land adjacent to Lady Betty’s Drive and Leafy Lane.
Hampshire County Council, which owns the land for the temporary school site, will consider the plans on Wednesday (January 23).
The school could open on its temporary site, ready to take its first pupils in September. It would then be relocated into permanent, purpose-built buildings within the north Whiteley development once that land has been released by developers.
It would then become a three-form entry school when housing development dictates the need for more places.
The Dioceses have undertaken a public consultation on the proposals and have received widespread community support for the plan because it will enable children living in the new town to go to school within the development rather than having to travel to local schools nearby.
Councillor Roy Perry, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “The County Council recognised the need for additional places to meet demand in Whiteley several years ago and we were very disappointed that the site that was proposed then, could not be secured.
“I completely understand parents’ desire to have their children attend schools close to where they live so I look forward to considering these proposals which will provide additional school places in Whiteley to meet the demand for places now, and in the future. I know the proposals have the full support of local council members, Councillor Sean Woodard and Councillor Patricia Stallard.”
If approved Councillor Ken Thornber, leader of the county council, will be asked the following day to approve the release of the land for the school and the procurement processes for the £2m buildings, which will be funded by the county council.
He said: “The county council first looked at building another primary school in Whiteley in 2006 but unfortunately we were not able to secure a suitable site on which to build a permanent school, which satisfied all the requirements at the time. This proposal could be the best approach in enabling the provision of much-needed primary school places on a temporary basis until north Whiteley is developed.”