A "state-of-the-art" primary school and nursery for 476 children will be built at the Limebrook Way development in Maldon, to help meet rising demand for school places.

Following approval from Essex County Council, the facilities are being created as part of the South Maldon Garden Suburb development. Up to 1,000 homes are set to be built, along with retail space, green spaces, allotments, and playing fields.

The two-form primary school will accommodate 420 children in total, while the nursery will provide 56 places for 0-4 year olds. Work is due to start this summer and is hoped to be ready in time for the 2024 academic year.

Councillor Tony Ball, ECC Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: "Ensuring every child in Essex has access to an excellent education is at the heart of our 'Everyone's Essex' strategy and at the forefront of our vision for levelling up the County.

"This new facility will provide high quality primary provision, as well as nursery spaces, for the local community and will use net zero enhancements for reducing the carbon emissions that can be caused by school buildings."

The new school will be an academy, as required by government legislation. Essex County Council has launched an ongoing procurement process for the academy sponsor.

The project is being funded by Section 106 contributions and ECC borrowing.

An artist's Impression of the new Limebrook Way Primary School in Maldon. (Image: Ingleton Wood)

Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed as the main contractor for the project by Essex County Council. Morgan Sindall has collaborated with the council and Colchester-based construction consultancy firm Ingleton Wood to inform the school's "net zero carbon" design, which includes the entire site being diesel-free.

This environmentally friendly approach has been encapsulated in a Sustainability Charter, with construction methods and materials designed to minimise the school's emissions.

Morgan Sindall Construction's Essex area director, Andrew Harper-Rowe, said: "We've worked closely with Essex County Council on a number of high-end educational developments, and we can't wait to bring this collaboration and expertise to Limebrook Way's new primary school.

"Once complete, this net zero educational establishment will make a real difference in the local community, providing generations of pupils with sustainable school places and a facility that's tailored to the needs of those living and working in Maldon."

Read more

• Maldon District: 110 new homes in Southminster, Halifax closure plans approved, bungalow refused, and 9 more planning applications near you
• Maldon District: Emergency services called after car smashes into house
• Maldon Mud Race organisers celebrate 'phenomenal' event as 300 participants battle the mud for charity