PLANS for a new school building in Southampton have been given the thumbs up.

Southampton City Council’s planning panel decided unanimously to give the green light for the new build of Oasis Academy Lord's Hill to start at a meeting today.

It will be located next to The Cedar School on Lordshill Recreation Ground. The Academy is currently located on split sites in Fairisle Road and Green Lane following a reorganisation of education in the city.

Responding to news of today’s decision, Cllr Paul Holmes, head of Children’s Services, said: “This is more good news for education in Southampton. The new academy building will help us to deliver the best possible learning experience for the city’s young people.

“We’ve carried out an extensive consultation and the feedback from that has been used to inform the plans that were approved today.

“The quality and pace of our Academies programme demonstrates the importance we place on education in Southampton. We want our children and young people to have the very best facilities we can offer them. The new Academy will provide excellent learning environments for students and staff, as well as providing jobs for local residents and a fantastic resource for the local community.”