PLANS to build a new 420-place primary school in Colchester have been announced.

Essex County Council bosses say the school will be built on land south of the Tollgate Centre and could open as early as September 2020.

The scheme part of education bosses’ bid to cut the forecasted deficit in primary school places in Colchester.

Figures show, solely in the south west of the borough, there will be a deficit of 160 reception places within a decade.

 

In a consultation document, Ray Gooding, Essex County Council Cabinet member for education and skills, said: “Colchester has experienced a significant rise in the demand for school places in recent years as a result of new housing, rising births and families with young children moving into the area.

“There is predicted to be continued pressure on school places in the coming years, mainly as a result of planned housing developments and inward migration across areas of the town.

“The housing developments in the Stanway area, which have been progressing for a number of years, will increase demand for school places in this area of Colchester significantly.”

He added: “Essex County Council has a duty to ensure that there are sufficient school, places for children living in the county. In order to do this we monitor birth rates new housing developments and patterns of parental preference across groups of schools. This information is used to forecast pupil numbers and to ensure there are sufficient places across the county.

“The latest forecasts of pupil numbers indicate with housing, there will be a need for up to 60 additional reception year places each year in the Lakelands and wider surrounding areas from September 2020.”

The new school will be an academy - as is required by Government legislation - and admissions will be dealt with by the sponsor. Education bosses will, though, expect children who live nearby to be given preference.

Jeremy Hagon, a Conservative campaigner in Stanway, said: “I welcome the news a new primary school in Stanway is being proposed by Essex County Council away from Winstree Road and with it, bringing much-needed school spaces to the area.

“Opening this new primary school in Stanway will ultimately help reduce peak hour traffic on our roads too, with the school being within walking and cycling distance from the new housing developments in the area.”

“I ask all local residents to please submit their comments during the initial consultation period and to attend the drop in sessions planned.”

Residents will be able to have their say at two events at Stanway Village Hall on October 11 and 12, between 3pm and 5pm and between 6pm and 7pm. An online survey can also be filled out at bit.ly/2NjuChx by October 26.