education bosses aiming to open a new secondary school in Basingstoke are asking the public to comment.

Plans to build a new John Hunt of Everest Community School at a site in the north of a housing development in Popley are surging ahead.

Official notices have now been published in The Gazette informing readers of the proposals and asking for comments or objections.

Hampshire County Council wants to close the existing John Hunt school in Popley Way and transfer pupils to the new site at the beginning of the school year in September 2006.

A piece of land has already been earmarked in the housing development, which has yet to be built.

The new school's intake of 11-year-olds is to be 150 each year.

Hampshire County Council press officer Lee Williams said: "This notice has been placed by the education department to get the views of the community, which will be taken on board.

"It is not really possible to say what will happen.

"It is something we will deal with as the information comes in."

The deadline for comments or objections is October 4 and a report on them will be presented to the School Organisation Committee within two weeks.

Objections or comments must be submitted in writing and addressed to Ian Lawson, Strategic Planning Unit, Education Department, Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8UG.