From David Hutchings, Exeter 382594, February 26, 2008

A MAJOR programme to improve and replace schools and facilities for children, young people and families across Devon has been approved by councillors today.

Devon's Executive Committee gave the green light to an ambitious three-year building programme worth £235 million.

Devon's lead councillor for children and young people, John Smith, said the programme would have a real impact across the county.

"This is very good news for education, youth services and early years throughout Devon," said Mr Smith.

"We have not seen this sort of money invested in Devon on this sort of timescale before.

"We have tried to spread the money fairly and reflect the highest priority needs."

The three-year capital programme will run from April 2008 to April 2011.

Two new primary schools will be built at Dartington and Okehampton with money also set aside to continue the design of new primaries at The Grove in Totnes and Cheriton Fitzpaine.

The programme includes £46.4 million for the ambitious scheme to replace Bideford College and over £31 million for the integrated educational campus planned for the new town at Cranbrook.

Major improvement schemes will also be carried out at a number of secondary schools including King's at Ottery St Mary, Dartmouth and Chulmleigh.

In the next year alone almost £69 million will be spent on schools, children's centres and youth facilities in Devon.

Among the major projects approved today are:

PRIMARY

        £6.5 million for a new primary school for Dartington. The new school will replace the existing primary and will be built on an adjacent site. It will have 12 classes and will provide an all-weather pitch, a large playing area and landscaped grounds. It will be an eco-friendly school built to an innovative design.

        £5 million for a new primary school at Okehampton to accommodate the housing development in the town. A site for the school has been reserved on land at the eastern edge of Okehampton between Exeter Road and Crediton Road.The first phase of the school will open in 2010 and cater for up to 210 boys and girls aged from three to 11 with a further 26 early education places.More places will be phased in to coincide with new house building in the area. The school would grow to 420 pupils by 2020.

        £4 million to expand and re-model Ottery St Mary Primary School. The oversubscribed school currently only has space for 335 pupils. A two-storey building will be developed as part of the scheme which will allow the school to accommodate 14 classes.

        £1.4 million to replace all the temporary accommodation at Upottery Primary School and provide a new hall and kitchen

        £1.4 million to replace temporary accommodation at Withycombe Raleigh Primary in Exmouth

        £900,000 to replace temporary accommodation at Braunton Caen Primary School

        £800,000 to provide for remodelling at Shaldon Primary School

        £500,000 to provide additional accommodation at Holsworthy Primary School

In addition £14 million is being earmarked as part of the Government's Primary Capital Programme which will allow up to half of the country's primary schools to be replaced or significantly improved by 2022.

SECONDARY

        £46.4 million to provide a replacement for Bideford College.

        £1.4 million to upgrade the general teaching accommodation at Chulmleigh Community College and replace outdated temporary classrooms.

        £1.2 million to provide a seven class extension at The King's School, Ottery St Mary.

        £830,000 to provide a specialist lecture theatre at Dartmouth Community College

The Government's Building Schools for the Future programme which aims to replace secondary schools across the country is still some years away in Devon.

Nationally the programme has been slipping and the Government is about to consult on other funding options for schools which may need investment in the short term.

Councillors therefore approved £1.5 million to begin a programme of development plans for all Devon's secondary schools so work could start if the Government decided to make more money available.

These first seven schools will be Chulmleigh, Dartmouth, Exmouth, KEVICC at Totnes, Pilton in Barnstaple, QECC in Crediton and Teign.

Mr Smith said it was vital for children to get off to the best possible start in life.

By September the county will also have provided 31 children's centres across Devon to provide services and support for children up to five and their families.

The new building programme calls for almost £8 million more to be invested in facilities for young children which will provide for a further 12 children's centres and allow the learning environment to be improved in a number of nurseries and pre-schools.

A further £2.3 million is being set aside to improve facilities for young people across the county.

Young people have played a major role in consultations about where the money should be spent to enhance the facilities in youth centres.

Devon's Director of Children and Young People's Services, Anne Whiteley, told councillors: "This represents another significant investment in CYPS infrastructure. The three-year programme will have a real impact on children, young people and families across Devon."

NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS: Councillor Smith is available on 01626 772223.

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