A NEW pre-school could be in the pipeline on the grounds of an existing New Forest school.

The application by Hampshire County Council (HCC) seeks to provide the facility through an additional building at New Milton Junior School on Old Milton Road.

Plans, which have been submitted to New Forest District Council, seek to create a new single storey building on the junior school field.

The proposals have been put together by HCC in an attempt to counter the existing "unsatisfied demand" for pre-school spaces in New Milton, which has been increased by the new 30-hour free childcare scheme introduced by the Government.

If approved, the building will be used in the day for children under two years of age and by children aged between two and five before they enter full-time education.

In addition, a Holiday Club room, which will provide a space for 30 children over five years of age, is included in the designs and will be used in term time as an afterschool club. During school holidays sessions will run from 7am to 6.30pm on weekdays and on some weekends.

Seven full-time staff will oversee the pre-school children. A further two staff will supervise the Holiday Club children alongside an overall administrator/manager for the building.

A statement submitted alongside the application says the design has been developed in conjunction with HCC's Children's Service, the pre-school sponsor and the junior school governors.

It also says the siting of the building at the junior school site is considered advantageous for several reasons.

The statement adds: "There will be siblings at the adjoining junior and infant schools, which will reduce traffic compared to siting the pre-school elsewhere.

"The children who attend this pre-school will most likely go on to attend the adjoining infant and junior schools. The site is already in education use.

"It is not a noise sensitive site. Close proximity to a large residential area promoting walking and cycling to the site. Ease of accessibility for the disabled."

The plans include adding ten car parking spaces at the site, increasing its capacity to 36.