A NEW £2.2m temporary primary school is to be built in a Hampshire community to tackle the shortage of places for pupils.

Parents in Whiteley have long campaigned for extra places to cope with ever increasing pupil numbers.

The existing three-form entry primary in Whiteley is over-subscribed and children denied places have had to travel miles out of the development to schools south of the M27.

An attempt was made to build a school in 2006 but Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council could not agree on a permanent site.

Now civic chiefs are planning to set up a 210-space school on a site owned by the county council next to Lady Betty’s Drive and Leafy Lane.

Children will be taught in temporary classrooms but have a hard-standing playground and field.

In the longer term the school will transfer to new permanent buildings in North Whiteley as part of a major new development.

The school will be run by the Church of England’s Winchester and Portsmouth Dioceses with building costs met by the county council. Admission will not be faith-based.

County councillor Roy Perry, executive lead member for children’s services is due to approve the plans tomorrow.

He said: “The county council recognised the need for additional places to meet demand in Whiteley several years ago and we were very disappointed that the site that was proposed then could not be secured.

"I completely understand parents’ desire to have their children attend schools close to where they live so I look forward to considering these proposals, which will provide additional places to meet the demand now.”