• School is designed to fit in to the National Forest surroundings

• Work has now started and is due to take around a year to complete

• Design was described as 'challenging' with new school built over two levels

• Eco thinking is at the heart of new Burton Road development

A ground-breaking ceremony has taken place to officially mark work on an ambitious county council scheme that will see a new 210-place primary school built in Ashby.

The state-of-the-art Holywell Spring Farm Primary School, in Burton Road, is being created as part of a new 400-home development being built in the area.

The new school is estimated to cost in the region of £5.5m with funding from the council's capital building programme and section 106 contributions from developers.

When the scheme was announced earlier this year, Holywell Spring Farm was described as 'unique and high-tech' - and the blueprint for other similar schemes in Leicestershire The story behind plans for Ashby's modern new school.

Councillor Deborah Taylor, cabinet member for children and families, said: "Developing more school places is a key priority of the council and this exciting new development will reduce pressure in the Ashby area.

"We want children to have access to first-class local schools and remain committed to creating more places where there is growing demand."

The new school, which is being built by construction firm Willmott Dixon, will be managed by an academy and the council is in the process of selecting the managing trust.

Nick Heath, director of operations at Willmott Dixon, said: "We are very excited to be continuing our longstanding relationship with Leicestershire County Council – this scheme will provide much-needed schooling places for the local community throughout Ashby de la Zouch's period of rapid expansion.

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"This project is the latest in a number of developments that Willmott Dixon, Leicestershire County Council and Scape have collaborated on, and we would like to thank all of those involved for their hard work and commitment in getting this project underway despite Covid-19."

The school is expected to open for the start of the 2021-22 academic year.