Proposals to develop new primary school provision in Chatham – including plans for a new primary academy - have been given the go ahead.

Plans to increase primary age provision by expanding Greenvale School and developing a new primary school on the site of the former Chatham South School on Letchworth Avenue were approved by Medway Council yesterday.

Like most of the south east’s 18 authorities, Medway is expecting to see an increase in primary school admissions over the next five years.

The council’s School Organisation Plan 2011-16, published last year, highlighted an emerging need for additional primary age provision in some areas of the Towns, because of a rise in the birth rate and an increase in families moving to the area, particularly in Chatham.

The most recent health data, released in February 2012, shows that Chatham has seen a 21.3 per cent rise in the birth rate since 2005 - compared to Medway’s overall rise of 13 per cent.

In addition, over the past 12 months there has been large number of families moving into the area from London and elsewhere.

This means Chatham is expected to see a 22 per cent rise in the number of primary school places needed by 2016.

However, in neighbouring areas Rochester and Walderslade, the latest forecasts predict that there is sufficient provision and still some spare capacity for growth in future years.

Due to the size and location of existing primary schools in Chatham, there are limited opportunities to expand current school sites, particularly as a long-term option.

The report which was approved by the council's cabinet recommended the following two proposals to help meet the long term need for school places in Chatham, which the council will now develop in more detail:

- The temporary expansion of Greenvale School to accommodate up to 30 additional pupils from September 2012 and up to an extra 60 pupils from September 2013.

- To develop a three-form entry primary school, to open from September 2014 on the site of the former Chatham South school. The new school will need to be established as an academy in line with current legislation. The council will start consultation with potential providers in July.

Cllr Les Wicks, who is in charge of education, said: "Our priority is to ensure that all children in Medway have access to good quality education and that, as a local authority we are providing sufficient good school places for families.

“By putting in place these provisions now, we’re actively planning to meet additional demand from people moving into the area and a rise in the birth rate in some areas of Medway. This will ensure that we will be able to meet the increased demand for primary school places and provide families with good local schools now and into the future.”