PLANS to build a 300-place primary school in Colchester have been backed.

Essex County Council wants to build to an extra campus for St John’s Green Primary School, in Abbey Field, in order to cope with the town’s growing population.

The £4million plans were initially criticised by Colchester Council’s planning committee in November but fresh proposals were backed by the committee on Thursday *FEB14*.

Theresa Higgins, committee chair, backed the plans but said the design should include more space for pupils and staff to park their bikes.

The design includes space for 20 bikes.

“It is much better than what was put to us last year,” she said.

“But I think we should be quite consistent about bicycle parking.

“We are a cycling town and we must encourage children to cycle.

“We have to get this right from there start.”

Dave Harris added: “This school is much-need here in Colchester and it will go some way to ease the burden on our primary schools.”

The plans were unanimously agreed.