Jersey planners approve new school in St Martin field
Jersey's planning minister has approved the construction of a new school on a playing field in St Martin.
The existing primary school is below minimum space standards and has been using portable cabins since 1995.
The new school will cost £7.73m, but there were concerns about the loss of the football pitch, used by St Martin's football club.
Other concerns included parking and access for pedestrians. Some 55 letters of objections were received.
Deputy Rob Duhamel agreed to allow the building of the new school as long as the Education, Sport and Culture Minister, Deputy Patrick Ryan, worked with St Martin's football club on sport for children in the parish.
Deputy Ryan said: "We are delighted because together with St Martin's football club we can develop a wide-ranging sports centre for the youth of St Martin as well as the football club."
Darryl Parker, St Martin's football club first team manager, said it was good news after the club lost 20 players in the past year because of the uncertainty of the club's future.
He said: "It's about youth development. The school are going to have fantastic facilities which could only be a positive thing, and they are happy to work with us."