PLANS for a new primary school at a 2,000 home development near Winchester are set to be discussed at a public drop-in session next week.

The two-form entry 420-place academy at Barton Farm would include five teaching blocks, a hall, sports pitch and playing field, teachers facility, staff car park, hard and soft play areas.

County council officers and representatives from the University of Winchester, which is sponsoring the school, will be at the drop-in on April 22.

A planning application is yet to be submitted, and the council said it is keen to hear residents' views.

Barton Farm Academy is expected to open in the September 2017 academic year.

Plans on the county council website show it would be in the centre of the development and almost opposite Henry Beaufort School in Harestock from a bird's eye view.

The first phase of Barton Farm started in December, and will see 223 homes built on an area developer Cala Homes is calling Kings Barton.

Earlier this year Graham Cunningham, regional managing director for Cala Homes, said: “Kings Barton will not only provide much-needed homes but will also generate significant investment in local facilities and services.”

Overall there will be 880 affordable homes, 40 per cent, which will only be available to those on the city council housing register. There will also be new parks and a village green, shops, community centre, GP surgery and park and ride.

Andover Road residents have been told to expect building work for up to six years outside their homes.

The drop-in session is at The Stripe, King Alfred Campus, Sparkford Road, on Wednesday from 5pm-7pm. The public consultation ends on Wednesday May 20.