Steve DownesA �5m primary school just been given the go-ahead in an edge-of-Norwich village.Work will soon be under way to create the new primary school in Little Plumstead, after planning permission was granted by Norfolk County Council.Steve Downes

A �5m primary school just been given the go-ahead in an edge-of-Norwich village.

Work will soon be under way to create the new primary school in Little Plumstead, after planning permission was granted by Norfolk County Council.

The council has worked alongside the Diocese of Norwich and the school to develop plans for the new 210-place building, which will replace the existing Little Plumstead Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School.

Builders Mansell will begin on site in the next few weeks, with the new school due to open in September 2011.

The Diocese secured funding for the project from the government. The council has invested an additional �1.7m in the school building and �1.7m to develop infrastructure around the school, following the collapse of property developers Cofton.

The new building will be on the site of the former Little Plumstead Hospital and will mean the school can cater for an extra 40 pupils.

Alison Thomas, the council's cabinet member for children's services, said: 'We are ambitious for Norfolk's young people and we know that new school buildings can help to raise both aspirations and achievement.

'We have worked hard to develop new schools in areas of growth and have seen the rewards this can bring in communities like Queen's Hills, where the new primary school recently received a glowing report from Ofsted.

'The new Little Plumstead School will be a resource for the whole community and will be a wonderful place to teach and learn. I am thrilled that building work can now get under way.'

The new school has been designed by architects Feilden and Mawson and will include seven classrooms, a library, hall and outdoor play area.

Jo Quarterman, chair of governors at Little Plumstead Primary, said: 'This is brilliant news for our school, its pupils and the local community. It has taken real determination across the whole community to get the project to this stage and we are pleased that this has now paid off.'

Andy Mash, diocesan director of education, said: 'We have remained absolutely committed to creating a new school for communities in and around Little Plumstead and have worked closely with our partners to ensure the new school building can go ahead.'