MOVES are underway to establish a much-needed school in a rapidly expanding Suffolk village.The old RAF base at Rendlesham, near Woodbridge, has seen a large influx of people in recent years and villagers fear their children will miss out if a school is not provided soon.

MOVES are underway to establish a much-needed school in a rapidly expanding Suffolk village.

The old RAF base at Rendlesham, near Woodbridge, has seen a large influx of people in recent years and villagers fear their children will miss out if a school is not provided soon.

George Newson, Rendlesham parish council clerk, said: "The council is very concerned about it and the village is very concerned about it.

"It's written in to the plans for the area and the land is there and waiting to be used, it's just a case of finding the funding."

When the Ministry of Defence sold the land to developers it was on the condition that certain basic facilities, including a school, would be provided.

Work is due to begin soon on a new community centre, six shops, a village green and a new post office in the area just off Suffolk Drive. The new school would be located in the same area.

At the moment pupils have to be bussed out to the primary school in Eyke or the Sandlings school on the Woodbridge base.

Peter Monk, County councillor for Rendlesham, said: "I fully support the parish council in their quest for a school but before we can secure any kind of funding for the government we have to conform to what is known as 'basic needs'.

"This means we have to produce information about the population, other facilities in the area, projected populations for the future etc and, at the moment, this is what we are in the process of doing."

Cllr Monk explained there are difficulties in providing precise figures because of the unstable nature of the population of the Woodbridge air base where the Sandlings school is located.

He said: "It is difficult to make projections when the future development there is uncertain. On the other hand, Rendlesham is far more stable and expanding rapidly. I think it is quite right that they feel they should have a school of their own.

"In my opinion this is a special case and I will be doing everything I can to help."

Cllr Monk will be attending the October meeting of the Rendlesham parish council to discuss concerns with residents and inform them of the latest progress.

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