PLANS for a new Bournemouth primary school have been approved, in the hope it will ease the pressure on over-subscribed schools.

A new two-form entry primary school will be built on the site of Avonbourne College at Harewood Avenue, which will be ready to accept pupils in September 2014.

The new school will help ease the chronic shortage of primary school places in the Southbourne and Littledown areas of Bournemouth.

There are also plans for a new Roman Catholic primary school to open on the St Peter’s lower school site by September 2014, along with further expansions of existing primary schools.

The Jewell Academy is also due to open in Townsend this September, helping to meet demand in the Strouden Park and Throop areas, and there are plans for a new free school to open up in the Lansdowne area of Bournemouth.

A report drawn up council officers reveals that between 2005 and 2011, the birth rate increased by 44 per cent.

Up to 2013, a total of 2,175 extra places have been created, with 17 of the town’s 26 primary schools expanding to meet the increased need.

Cllr Nicola Greene, cabinet member for education, said: “Avonbourne College is already a very successful secondary academy on a large site and in roughly the right place to meet demand.”

Bournemouth council has bid for £5.5m of Government cash to fund the new school and provide an extra 30 permanent reception places at Christ the King RC School in Kinson.

Cllr John Beesley, leader of the council, said: “This has been no easy task.

“To get to the stage that we are at today has taken a huge amount of determination and tenacity.”