PLANS for a new £27 million secondary school in the heart of Southampton have been given the green light by civic chiefs.

Proposals will now be drafted for the 900-pupil school, which has been earmarked to be built on the St Mark’s Primary School and neighbouring ex-civil service playing fields sites in Freemantle.

The city council’s cabinet also agreed it would look at how it could expand two other city schools – St George Catholic College and St Anne’s Catholic College – to increase capacity by 300 pupils each.

This comes after the authority promised to create 1,500 new secondary places in the central region of the city by 2023.

Speaking about the decision, schools boss councillor Darren Paffey said: “As a cabinet member (for education) all you want to see is improvements to the quality of education for our children, and to be able to build a new school.

“It is my pleasure to put this paper to cabinet today.”

Dr Paffey added: “We can now make progress with conversations about this exciting possibility of building a new secondary school where children can get the highest standard of education in a modern, well-equipped centre of learning fit for the 21st century.

“The central part of Southampton is where the greatest demand for school places will be in the coming years, and we’re determined to ensure all children and young people get the best start in life in Southampton by providing sufficient high quality school places.”

In total, the scheme is set to cost £48.86 million.

City council officials have said the proposed Freemantle site has been identified as highly appropriate because “it has the potential to accommodate 900 pupils and it is centrally located, where demand is highest”.

Now, as part of the plans, a consultation of parents, residents, businesses, and local groups will take place before the scheme is officially given the go-ahead.

On completion, the new secondary school will become an academy, the council has said.

Commenting on the need for the school, children and families service director Hillary Brooks said: “Southampton, like many other local authorities, is currently facing an increase in the number of secondary age pupils it will have to accommodate in its schools, peaking around 2023/24.”