PLANS to build a new Catholic primary school in Bournemouth have been approved, despite fears it could exacerbate existing traffic congestion.

Cabinet members have this morning backed the idea of building a new primary school on the existing St Peter’s School site at Iford, and moving year seven and eight pupils to the Southbourne site.

But they acknowledged that time and effort would have to be spent formulating a green travel plan to minimise traffic disruption.

Cabinet member Cllr Mike Greene said: “The area is already fairly congested, providing these extra school places on the Southbourne site is going to potentially add to that.

“With any school expansion, there will also be a requirement for a school travel plan. I do hope that in this case this will be pursued vigorously.”

And Cllr Chris Rochester, who represents Boscombe East, said: “It will need a lot of hours spent on it to make that area sufficient, it certainly isn’t sufficient at the moment.”