PLANS for a new Poundbury school have been given the go-ahead.

A planning application for the relocation of Damers First School has been giving the green light by councillors.

Damers First School will relocate to Liscombe Street, replacing the current school on Damers Road in Dorchester, and will cater for 600 pupils.

The new school, which will overlook the Great Field, will comprise 20 classrooms as well as a playing field, sports court, and playground all enclosed within the secure boundary of the site and there will be a parking area that will be restricted for staff parking during school hours and available to the general public at other times.

Planning officer Chris Stokes recommended the committee approve the planning application.

He stated the design of the new school has been agreed with West Dorset District Council and the Duchy and is in accordance with the Poundbury Design Guide.

In addition to the single-storey school, the planning proposal also includes a church and conjoining main hall, which will also be shared with the community.

This is in accordance to the Poundbury Development Brief which requires the provision a community hall, large enough to accommodate 300 people.

However, a number of local residents were concerned that a hall shared between the school, the church and the community may cause conflict between parties and one condition of the application approval is that a community use management plan is submitted to ensure this doesn’t happen.

Speaking of the decision to go-ahead, Cllr Trevor Jones, who represents Dorchester on the county council, said: "After a false start, the decisions taken by the cabinet and regulatory committee are enabling this much-needed new school to progress satisfactorily, so I'm very pleased."

The Highways Agency and Highways authority have no objections to the application but a new school travel plan will be required before the school is opened.

The committee is awaiting comment from the Environmental Agency.