IF WE need to build new homes in this country, then we should build the infrastructure to support these new communities.

So goes the usual argument that crops up whenever people seek to address housing pressures in this country.

It is pleasing, then, to report on the opening of the first new school to be built in Basingstoke in more than 20 years.

After a long wait, it gives the people of Rooksdown an education facility of their own.

We visited Castle Hill Primary School Rooksdown Campus on Tuesday, in what was the first full week for the fledgling school.

Judging by the comments made in our report on page three of this week’s newspaper, there has been plenty of praise for the new £6.9million Hampshire County Council building.

This is fantastic news.

A total of 30 reception children are the only ones in the school at the moment.

The building, which is in the final stages of construction, will cater for 210 children when it reaches full capacity in seven years.

John Martin, headteacher at Castle Hill Junior School in Winklebury, will lead both schools.

He said: “It is exciting and it is a new chapter that I’m thoroughly enjoying.

“We always felt that Rooksdown deserved a high quality school.

“Particularly along with all the other schools in Hampshire.”

The Gazette would like to wish all the pupils and staff at the new school all the best.

It is a welcome addition to both Rooksdown and Basingstoke.