PLANS to reopen Townsend School at a cost of £4.15m, to help meet the demand for primary places, in Bournemouth will go before civic chiefs next Wednesday.

The council’s Cabinet will discuss a proposal to open a new primary academy at the former school, which closed in 2008 despite a vociferous campaign to save it.

Many parents were furious about travelling to other schools from the estate despite it being placed under special measures by Ofsted and being described as a failing school.

Reopening the building is among a number of proposals being considered to find an extra 420 places by September 2014.

More than 300 extra reception places are needed for September next year and it is proposed to meet some of this demand by “remodelling, refurbishing and extending” the former Jewell Road school.

Other proposals, previously agreed, include the creation of 30 reception places at Elmrise Primary, Hill View Primary, Kingsleigh Primary, Queen’s Park Infant/Junior, Winton Primary, St Katharine’s C of E Primary, St Walburga’s Catholic Primary, Stourfield Infant/Junior and Muscliff Primary.

Cllr Nicola Greene, Cabinet member for education and children’s services, said: “Most schools are now at full capacity with limited scope for any further expansion.

“Opening a new primary academy has been identified as the most cost effective solution to meet the shortfall of reception places in the area.”

The Townsend project would involve partial demolition of the existing building, “refurbishment and remodelling works” as well as a major new extension.

Funding will come from the Basic Need grants allocated to the council by the Department of Education for the purpose of providing additional school places.

If the proposal is agreed at Cabinet, the council will seek to identify a suitable sponsor for the academy while building works are carried out.