Director of education . . . Hilary PittsPLANNING permission for the first three of the seven Swindon schools to be built under a private finance initiative is expected to be given on Tuesday.

A consortium led by Equion, a division of John Laing plc has the £97m contract to build and operate the schools for 25 years. Aftter this they will be owned by the council.

Hilary Pitts, director of education, said the schools would be a new departure in learning in the town and would help drive up standards.

First to be considered at a meeting of Swindon Council's planning committee is a scheme for the new Hreod Parkway School, to replace the current split site straddling Akers Way.

The main entrance will lead to a covered courtyard that can accommodate 1,000 people. A central dome will be made of the same material as those at the Eden Project in Cornwall. It will allow light in and images to be projected for assemblies.

Outline planning permission for the area to be used as an education campus was given last September.

Road improvements are included for Akers Way, with new access and a cycleway.

There will be a sports hall and changing rooms for public use.

Moredon Infans and Junior schools would be amalgamated and re-built north of Akers Way.

The school will cater for 420 pupils and a nursery for 30 children. The school would also be available for community use out of school hours.

The last application will be for a new school at Haydon End Lane, Haydon Wick. This plan is for a mainstream school for 210 pupils and a nursery school. It will have four junior classrooms, three infants', a nursery classroom and a hall.

Planners are being recommended to grant permission for these schemes subject to conditions.

The other four schools are planned to be built on a 32-acre learning campus on the Priory Vale Development.

Another school will be considered for improvements at the meeting.

Greendown School in Grange Park Way wants permission for a mobile classroom for use as an after school club.

Catherine Turnbull