Moves to build a new high school for the Chantry area of town have taken a step forward after receiving an enthusiastic welcome from the borough.

IPSWICH: Moves to build a new high school for the Chantry area of town have taken a step forward after receiving an enthusiastic welcome from the borough.

Members of Ipswich council's planning and development committee heard about the plans to replace the 1961-vintage school, and the neighbouring Beacon Hill school, with a new building.

If the multi-million pound project is approved, building work could start in 2011, to be ready to receive the first students by September 2013.

Graham Newman, Suffolk County Council portfolio holder for Children and Young People, said the proposals would come as a boost to youngsters in the area, providing better facilities for youngsters.

“This is another exciting opportunity,” he said.

“The schools will benefit from exciting new facilities which will increase the opportunities available to them and the local community.”

The final planning decision will rest with the county council - but the borough is not raising any objection to the proposal.

The school would be built as part of the government-funded “Building Schools for the Future” programme, which could also see a replacement for Holywells High School built next to the Gainsborough Sports Centre and a new building for Westbourne Sports College in north west Ipswich.

The developments will come as a further boost to education in Suffolk and would follow the unveiling of University Campus Suffolk and the Suffolk One sixth form centre, which is nearing completion.

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