Bristol primary schools set for £17m development funding

Five Bristol primary schools should see their rebuilds and revamps move a step closer tonight.

The city council's ruling Liberal Democrat cabinet is set to approve plans for more £17 million of improvement works.

These include a new £6.4 million primary school for Sea Mills and new blocks and refurbishment at Parson Street Primary in Bedminster, Bankleaze Primary in Lawrence Weston and Elmlea Infant School in Westbury-on-Trym.

A £1.5 million expansion scheme for Victoria Park Primary in Windmill Hill is likely to be dropped in favour of a smaller-scale £850,000 facelift. But while the proposals are a boost for the schools involved, two other schools are missing out. Westbury-on-Trym Church of England Primary will see proposals for any work put back by several years after a study found that a completely new school at a cost of £7 million would be better value for money than the original refurbishment and extension scheme.

Bannerman Road Primary in Easton will also have its expansion plans delayed. A report to the cabinet says governors have agreed to the postponement "due to continuing work on the standards agenda within the school".

Councillors will also be asked to approve a £10 million programme of building works at children's centres and other early years provision such as pre-schools and nurseries.