EDUCATION chiefs will ask the public for their views on the proposed move of Tarporley Primary School to the high school site in the village.

Lead member for children’s services David Rowlands authorised the recommendation on Wednesday.

The proposal is to build the new primary school on the Tarporley Community High School site, on the playing fields behind the school and vehicular access for both schools would be off Nantwich Road.

The loss of playing fields would be resolved by converting the former Brook Farm School site on Brook Road into a playing field.

The two schools would still be independent of each other.

The Tarporley Church of England Primary School and Cheshire County Council playing field, as well as the remainder of the Brook Farm site, could then be sold for new housing and the money raised would go towards the cost of the new primary school.

The idea of the primary school move has been on the agenda of Cheshire County Council since 2003. Education bosses say the current site is not big enough.

County Councillor Rowlands said: “We believe the time has now come to gather local opinions on this proposal.

“A great deal of feasibility work needs to be carried out, especially the shared vehicular access.

“At present we want to gauge public reaction to the proposals and a special consultation event, which includes an exhibition, will be set up in October.”

Governor of Tarporley Primary School Graham Lees said: “I am pleased with the outcome of the meeting and this is the next logical step.”

Tarporley High headteacher Sarah Lee attended the meeting and in a written question wrote: “Of the options considered to provide suitable and sufficient accommodation for Tarporley CE Primary School, the relocation of the primary to our large high school site is the one that clearly offers the greatest advantage to both school communities, to the children and young people and to their parents.

“The two headteachers and the two governing bodies have affirmed our shared vision for the relocation and we are eager to work together to make this wonderful opportunity a reality.

“At the same time, the distinctive character of the two separate schools will be sustained, as well as sufficient physical separation.”