A new site for a school has been earmarked amid plans to build dozens of new homes near a Grade II listed bridge.

City councillors yesterday (WEDS) approved outline proposals to build 65 new homes between Oxford Canal and the railway line on land north of Aristotle Lane, Oxford, near its bridge.

Buildings will be demolished to make way for the houses, with space reserved for SS Philip and James Church of England aided First School to relocate there.

At present the 200-pupil school has cramped, Victorian buildings in Leckford Road, off Woodstock Road.

Last year, the school's bid to move to the site of the former Bishop Kirk School at Middle Way, Summertown, was turned down by the Education Secretary. This led to the Diocesan Board expressing a desire to move to Aristotle Lane. Today, headteacher Elizabeth Cracknell said: "We are pleased at the decision as the outline planning permission gives us the option for the future."

Mrs Cracknell said the current site was struggling to cope with the number of pupils, and, with numbers likely to grow, was loking at another site.

She said if Oxford changes from a three-tier education system to a two-tier one, in line with the rest of the county, the school would need even more space.

Councillor John Goddard said: "Local opinion has changed. There is a recognition that the most important community service is the reservation of the school site."

But he was concerned about the increase in traffic from the school and the new homes, particularly the impact it could have on the bridge.

Story date: Thursday 04 February

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