PLANS to build a school on a green belt in Christchurch have been backed unanimously by civic chiefs despite several hundred objections from residents.

Dorset County Council’s regulatory committee gave the greenlight for the new primary school at Marsh Lane during a meeting which lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours, at Christchurch’s Civic Offices yesterday.

Resident of Marsh Lane, Steve Roberts, objected to the scheme, arguing: “We believe this site is unsuitable for any type of development. I’m quite mystified as to how we have got to this stage without [a plan B].”

Christchurch MP Christopher Chope put forward his plan B, arguing there was scope to develop at the Old Police Station at Bargates, despite the committee already having heard it was unsuitable due to partial contamination and undeliverable because of shared ownership.

It was one of 16 alternative sites discussed including St Catherine’s Hill, Iford Golf Course, industrial land at the airport and land south of Blackwater Junction.

Dorset County Councillor Margaret Phipps told her colleagues there “is a dire and urgent” need for a school in Christchurch.

“Bargates is not available, deliverable and not suitable,” she said. “I do have some sympathy with those who live near [Marsh Lane] and I appreciate they may not want a school near there. If this school [isn’t built] I’m really not sure where all these children are going to go.”

Nicholas Smith, of the Christchurch Schools Action Group, told the committee that in 2013 there were 26 four-year-olds who did not get a place within their catchment. This figure rose to 32 in 2014 and higher again to 38 in 2015.

He also told the meeting that 80 per cent of the 120 pupils currently temporarily placed at the Twynham School campus come from west Christchurch. He said Marsh Lane would deliver an “emotional wellbeing” for its pupils.

“If this does not happen at least 120 children will again be displaced and without a school,” he said. “We do understand the concerns, but we believe the benefits significantly outweigh any negatives in the short-term.”