CONSTRUCTION of a new £6.2 million school in Eastleigh will start next year after civic chiefs gave plans the go-ahead.

Named the Chestnut Avenue Primary School, it will have capacity for a total of 315 children, and is anticipated to meet demand from the new 1,100-home development at North Stoneham.

Work will start next spring, with a completion date in the summer of 2020 tabled. It will then be ready to receive its first pupils that September for the new academic year.

The decision was made by Hampshire County Council Regulatory Committee on Tuesday.

The council has also confirmed that the school has been designed to allow for a “future, planned” expansion to two-form entry. It will open as a 1.5-form entry.

Councillor Stephen Reid, education chief at Hampshire County Council, said: “I am very pleased that this project has gone ahead, so that we can continue to provide sufficient school places for every Hampshire child.

“Investing in quality school buildings, that are built to be sustainable, energy efficient and create a motivational environment for learning, is something that we are proud of. Having a significant in-house team of designers, who specialise in school buildings, with years of experience, means that we are able to provide a high standard of facilities.

“Not only that, but our significant experience allows us to do this extremely cost effectively, thereby ensuring that taxpayers receive the best possible value for money.

“It is hugely important to me that there are places at good quality schools to meet the demand stemming from a rising population of families all over the county. Thanks to our strong track record in planning for the future, we are keeping pace with continued rising demand in Hampshire.”

Set on two levels, the school’s facilities will include 11 classrooms, group working rooms, a main hall, library and staff room.

There will be play areas including a grass playing field, as well as a staff car parking, a bike shelter and a scooter park for pupils.

The new primary school will be a free school, as required by the Department for Education, and will be sponsored by the University of Winchester Academy Trust.