AFTER much debate, a new school for 210 children is set to be built due to the huge influx of families expected at Rendlesham and Woodbridge air base.The community is one of the largest in Suffolk without its own primary school.

AFTER much debate, a new school for 210 children is set to be built due to the huge influx of families expected at Rendlesham and Woodbridge air base.

The community is one of the largest in Suffolk without its own primary school.

The school – which will open in September 2006 – will cater for those living in hundreds of homes being constructed at the old Bentwaters USAF site.

Suffolk County Council's executive committee will be asked to approve the primary school project on October 5.

Cash for the scheme – it is not yet known how much it is likely to cost – will be set aside in next year's budget.

The council carried out major public consultation in the summer and there was overwhelming support for a new school.

Housing development is taking place rapidly at Rendlesham, near Woodbridge.

There are already 750 homes and another 520 are expected to be built on the Bentwaters land by the end of the decade, leading to between 110 and 300 more children of primary school age.

With the Ministry of Defence's plans to move 23 Engineer Regiment and 240 families to Woodbridge base in 2006, this will mean a further 150 children and refurbishment of 200 homes for the public will mean another 50.

It means there will simply not be enough school places at the Sandlings Primary School or Eyke village school.

Land for the new school has already been set aside and it will have enough places for 210 pupils and be capable of being expanded to 315 if necessary.

In a report to councillors, acting director of learning David Thornton said: "The forecasting of pupil rolls is not a precise exercise.

"The latest forecasts relating to further housing developments at Rendlesham

are, however, broadly similar to those that were used for planning purposes when the county council's strategy for the provision of a new primary school was originally adopted in 1997.

The council's general policy is to provide primary schools, wherever possible, within or close to the communities they serve.

"The current and projected numbers of children in Rendlesham make it one of the largest communities in Suffolk without its own local primary school."

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