District planners have given the green light for a new school in Shillingstone.

The decision (SEPT 21) by councillors to allow Augustan Avenue to be used as an access road to a new site for Shillingstone Primary School ends a five-year wait for parents, pupils, and staff.

Foundation governor Vikki Angell, whose daughter was knocked down 11 years ago while she crossed the access road to the school's current site, said she was "delighted" by the councillors' decision.

"It can only mean brighter and better things for the school. It has a fantastic team of pupils, parents, teachers, and governors, and now we'll get the school the village deserves," said Mrs Angell.

Planning committee chairman Cllr Bill Batty-Smith said the decision of committee members had been unanimous.

"In 2004 we dealt with the application which included Augustan Avenue being the access road for the school. The area in which the school will now be built is the area that had been accepted for it," he said.

"The only change made from the original application is that there won't be any traffic lights on the main road.

"It was considered that it was not necessary as there is good visibility each way from Augustan Avenue."

The choice of access road had sparked more than 120 letters of opposition from villagers. But in a report to councillors, planning officer Andrew Williams said some petitioners had withdrawn their objections.

A further two residents had phoned after receiving letters from the council acknowledging their letters, complaining that they had not written to the council in the first instance, said Mr Williams.

Simon Franklin from the diocesan board of education said work on the new £2.5 million building for 120 children could start in November with teachers and pupils hoping to move into the new building by October 2010.