More primary school places for Northamptonshire requested

Northamptonshire County Council said it had received an unprecedented number of applications

Plans to increase the number of primary school places in Northamptonshire by more than 1,800 have been submitted by the county council.

The Conservative-run authority said the proposals had been triggered by a surge of people moving into the county.

Seven primary schools have already expanded to provide 150 additional places for the September 2012 intake.

Opposition leaders previously criticised the council for not pre-empting the increase.

Speaking in June when the authority provided 150 extra places, Liberal Democrat councillor Jenny Conroy said the council had been aware of the town's increase in migration for years.

Office block

But Andrew Grant, portfolio holder for learning, skills and education, said the planning for school places had been "spot on".

There are currently 3,570 school places for four to 11 year olds, but the council wants to provide 5,470 places by September 2013.

Under the same proposals, the cabinet will also discuss buying an office block in Cliftonville to convert to an annexe for Abington Vale Primary.

The plans will be discussed by the council on 4 September.