PLANNERS have delayed a decision on a new Bournemouth primary school because of residents’ concerns about the access route.

The £6million Avonwood Primary School, which will be built off Harewood Avenue, failed to get approval at Monday’s planning board meeting because councillors were concerned questions about the access had not been properly addressed.

Instead, they ordered the Avonbourne Academy Trust to liaise with residents and look at the issue of the access road again.

A special planning board meeting will then be held within the next week or two to consider the application again.

Harewood Avenue resident Colin Gilbey, who made a deputation on behalf of several residents, said: “I’m really pleased with the planning process because they’ve listened to us.

“If it turns out that the access they are proposing is the best one then so be it, we just want to feel that all possible options have been genuinely investigated and get some detailed answers to our questions.

“It feels like a victory for the planning process.”

Cllr Dave Kelsey, chair of the planning board, said: “In principle, everyone’s happy with the school side of the application but we want them to have another look at the in and out access.

“We feel there might be a better way of doing it.

“They didn’t really give us a lot of information, only one option was put in front of us, and we want the officers and applicants to have another look at it.”

The Avonwood Primary School opened its doors to 60 reception aged children last month but is currently based in two temporary classrooms. Children should move into the new buildings next September.