HAMPSHIRE council leader Roy Perry has approved the designs for the new 'super-school' in Winchester.

Cllr Perry approved the proposals at his Decision Day last week for the £7.8m transformation of The Westgate secondary in Fulflood into the first school for 4-16 year olds in Hampshire.

It is part of an overall £15million investment by the county in primary school places including expansions at two other primary schools, and a further three schools awaiting expansion.

The county believes it will meet present and future demand for local school places.

Cllr Perry said: “I am pleased that these design plans take into account the needs of children already in the schools, and following extensive public consultation with the local community, the views of some neighbours who had concerns about the impact of traffic movements in the area.

“There are good walking routes to the Westgate campus so a large number of children will be able to walk to school, and the development plans include improvements on some local roads and the creation of extra parent drop off facilities on nearby Chilbolton Avenue, as well as staggered start and end times for the schools on the site.

“We have a very good track record of accurate and high quality pupil forecasting, and the spaces at Westgate will be needed by September next year.”

Planning permission was granted on June 6 and work to transform the school will start this summer so that the new facilities can be in place for the start of the new academic year in 2014.

The ward councillor Martin Tod expressed concerns to Cllr Perry and the need for good communication between the builders and the local community.