FINAL approval has been given for a new primary school in Christchurch.

Dorset County Council were notified of the approval in a letter from the office of the Secretary of State, who chose not to call in the controversial application.

The school at Marsh Lane will be built on Green Belt land, an issue which attracted many objections from residents and MP Chris Chope.

The school is needed to cope with the large increase in demand for primary school places in the borough.

A spokesperson for Dorset County Council said: "To build on Green Belt land is a departure from usual county council policy but in this case the urgent need for a new school coupled with the limited amount of land available in the area, meant independent consultants identified the site at Marsh Lane as the best site."

Dorset County Councillor, Deborah Croney, cabinet member for learning and skills said: “This is fantastic news and signals the beginning of a very exciting time for the county council, the school, parents and the parents’ action group who have campaigned for a new primary school in Christchurch for many years.

"I am delighted that the Secretary of State has approved our application and that we are now able to properly and permanently address the pressure for more school places in Christchurch.

“We understand how important it is for families to be able to send their children to local schools. Now we can build a state of the art primary school for families in Christchurch that has the capacity to grow with the community over the coming years."

The demand for primary school places in the west Christchurch area has increased to such an extent that since 2013 over 30 four year olds have not been given a place at one of the established schools in the area.

Cllr Margaret Phipps, county councillor for Commons said: “This is excellent news for West Christchurch children and their parents. We currently have 90 children being taught in temporary accommodation. By this September the number will have increased to 120. This decision means a secure future for primary education in Christchurch, with children being able to attend a school close to where they live”.

The overall cost of the build is estimated at £7m and this has been provided by funding from Dorset County Council through its ‘Basic Need’ Programme. The new school will provide 14 classrooms, a large hall, learning resources area, a studio and practical areas. Outside, there will be a games court and play areas and an area for conservation.

Work is expected to start this summer and the new school should be ready for pupils to move into for the start of the new school term in September 2017.

The contractor appointed to build the new school is Morgan Sindall.