DELAYED plans for a new primary school in Christchurch are due to be submitted this week.

The plans for the new school in Marsh Lane, off Fairmile Road, should have been given to planners in July.

But due to a delay of more than two months, the scheme is now expected to be formally lodged with planning officers this week.

A consultation event took place in July, where members of the public were invited to view and comment on the plans.

The site has provoked controversy among local residents, who in 2012 also fought plans for a residential development on the land, which is owned by Bournemouth Water.

They have raised concerns about potential traffic problems and disruption to residents as a result of a new school.

The issues raised also included the concept of building on green belt land.

The multi-million pound proposal is a response to the current school places crisis in Christchurch.

Temporary classrooms were originally placed at Christchurch Infants School in a bid to combat the problem while a solution was discussed.

In September, the temporary classrooms were transferred to the Twynham School site until the school is built.

In the latest newsletter from West Christchurch Residents Association, senior project manager, David Crudgington said the two-form single storey building, as shown at the public information event, remains the same.

More than 150 responses were received, and changes made where appropriate, he added.

Members of the public will be allowed to comment on the plans, once they have been submitted to Christchurch Borough Council.

And if the plans are approved, the decision will need to be signed off by the Secretary of State, as the land is currently Green Belt.

The deadline for the school opening is September 2017.

Paul Scothern, Dorset County Council’s commissioning manager for premises, said: "The planning application for this new school was due for submission after the July public information event.  However, following that event, we have reflected on the comments made at the event, listened to the views of local residents and reviewed the amount of information and detail needed to support the application, particularly as it will be for development within the Green belt.

“This has all come together now and the planning application should be registered with the planning authority this week and out for formal public consultation very shortly afterwards."