First pictures have been released of the two new proposed schools expected to open in Ipswich next year.

Early visuals show the plans for a new primary school and pre-school in the new Henley Gate estate.

A public consultation is currently underway on the plans, held by Suffolk County Council, for the land east of Henley Road and north of the railway line.

The proposals at the site include a 210-place primary school and 30-place primary school within the 1,100-strong housing development.

However, this is only Phase One of the two-school development, which should be completed and up and running in September next year.

In Phase Two, the size of the schools could expand to 420 places in the primary school and 60 in the pre-school, with more classrooms being added to the floor plans of each.

The non-statutory pre-application planning consultation is currently underway until Friday, September 15, in which Suffolk County Council will gather the views of residents and stakeholders before submission of the planning application.

Overall, plans for the Henley Gate housing development will see schools, up to 1,100 homes, a community centre, country park, and open space to the north of the town.

The estate, from developer Crest Nicholson, was initially approved in 2020 and work is underway at the site.

A drop-in session for the consultation on the new schools will be held at The Ascension Hall, Larchcroft Road, Ipswich today (Tuesday, September 5), from 3.30pm to 7pm.

Plans will be on display and representatives from Suffolk County Council and Concertus Design & Property available to discuss the proposal and answer questions.

Draft plans will also be on display along Henley Road on the boundary fencing of the Henley Gate development throughout the consultation period.

To provide a comment in the consultation, visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/consultations or email schools@suffolk.gov.uk