ANOTHER major hurdle for the proposed new single site St John's School in Marlborough was cleared when Kennet planners granted outline consent on Thursday.

The only reservation expressed by councillors was over the proposed new access road from the Pewsey road at the top of Granham Hill.

Coun Patricia Courtman, district councillor for the Ogbournes and chairman of Minal Parish Council, made no comment on the school plans but voted against them, asking for her vote against the scheme to be recorded.

Kennet's regulatory committee voted 13-1 in favour of granting outline consent for the new school with an access off the Pewsey road.

Marlborough Mayor Bill Cavill told the committee: "I do welcome this chance to put the school on one site."

However, Coun Cavill did express concern that an even greater distance would be created between the upper and lower schools if the new school did not go ahead, but a new access road was provided at Granham Hill.

Coun Nick Fogg is not a member of the regulatory committee but was allowed to speak and said he was also concerned at what would happen if for any reason the new school did not go ahead, but the road did.

Planning officer Mike Wilmott said that if the road was built without the new school it would still be a major improvement over the existing access through Cherry Orchard and Orchard Road.

Coun Tony Skittrall said he was concerned at the safety of the proposed access at the top of Granham Hill on a road which he said was controlled by the 60mph national limit.

He said: "You are literally on an S bend where they propose putting in this access. There is nothing to stop people doing 60mph and some do."

Coun Jerry Kunkler said he did not think the access shown on the plans was wide enough and said he was concerned about the speed of traffic on the Marlborough to Pewsey road.

Coun Rosemary Cummings, who used to teach at St John's, said she welcomed the plans for the new school and the new access. She said: "For 16 years I was a full-time teacher at this school and travelling between the two sets of buildings was hell."