COUNCILLORS will be asked to approve £6.7 million funding for a controversial new primary school in Bournemouth.

Cabinet members will be urged to give the go-ahead to Avonwood primary when they meet on Wednesday December 18.

The 420-place school will be built on the site of Avonbourne and Harewood Colleges in Harewood Avenue, Boscombe East if it is approved.

Neighbours have complained that it will be too close to their homes and will cause traffic problems in an already-congested area.

The new primary school would open initially in 2014 with 60 reception class places and 28 nursery places.

Cllr Nicola Greene, pictured right, Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services, said: “We are experiencing an increasing demand for primary school places across the borough. At the same time we have a legal duty to provide enough school places and so this presents us with a huge challenge.

“We are working closely with the school to help develop the detailed plans for the new school site.

“The proposals are still subject to planning permission and I would encourage local residents to view the plans and take the opportunity to give their feedback through the usual planning process.”

Executive headteacher of Avonbourne Trust, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: “We are very excited about our plans to provide much needed primary school places for our local children.

“We are currently consulting people on the proposals for the new building and would very much welcome the views of the community before we submit a planning application in February next year.

“Subject to planning permission, building would commence in the summer, with the new building open by Easter 2015.

“A planning application for a temporary building will be submitted shortly to enable us to provide education facilities for our first intake of reception and nursery children next September.”