£8 million School Plans Unveiled

20 May 2010, 18:09 | Updated: 20 May 2010, 18:16

Plans for an £8 million primary school on Portland are being unveiled today.

Funding has already been agreed for the Chesil Cove school, which would replace two existing schools in the area, Blackbury Infants and Underhill Junior schools. It would cater for 316 pupils and offer 26 nursery places.

County councillor for Portland Harbour Tim Munro said:

"This is an exciting scheme for Portland as we have a growing number of children in Underhill and need a new primary school. This is an opportunity for local people to come and find out more about the proposals and ask any questions they may have before the council submits a planning application later this year."

James Watt, development manager at the South West RDA, said:

"We are investing more than £40 million in transforming Osprey Quay into a centre of marine and leisure activity, creating hundreds of new jobs. By making land available for the new school we are supporting the creation of a vital community facility that will enrich the lives of children, parents and staff on Portland."

The new school is due to open in 2013.

Dorset County Council will be holding an exhibition of the plans at Shaftesbury Hall in Victoria Square from 3pm today.