PLANS for a new Darlington primary school will be considered next week.

Darlington Borough Council's planning committee will consider the application to build a new school on the Firthmoor estate.

The £2.1m development, near Hopemoor Place, would accommodate 300 pupils and 39 nursery children.

The new school would replace Firthmoor infant and junior schools.

The infant school has been closed for months because of flood damage, resulting in the youngsters being taught alongside junior pupils and in portable classrooms.

If approved, it will be the first school Darlington Borough Council has built completely as a unitary authority, paid for with money from the Targeted Capital Fund.

Consultation carried out locally last year revealed preference for the school to be sited on land between the Firthmoor Community Centre and Ingleby Moor Crescent.

It is an irregular shaped plot, the southern part of which was previously occupied by houses. The northern end is public open space.

The school would be sited on the previously developed land with a playground and sports pitch to the rear on the northern part of the site.

A 2.4m green mesh boundary fence would be erected around the site.

Vehicle access would be via Ingleby Moor Crescent, with parking provision for 23 vehicles at the front of the building. A shelter for 16 bicycles is also included in the plans.

Improvements to the section of road along Ingleby Moor are also proposed, with a 20mph speed zone and road safety measures including speed humps.

Council officers have recommended that the plans be approved at the authority's planning committee meeting on Wednesday