A NEW primary school and church to form the heart of Taw Hill village centre have been approved by council planners.

The church and primary school will comprise one building in the shape of a cross 70 metres from north to south and 60 metres from east to west.

The building will be on the eastern side of Taw Hill, in north Swindon, next to Queen Elizabeth Drive.

The church will have seating for 166 people and include a kitchen, office and vestry.

The school will cater for nursery, infant and junior classes.

Currently the site is occupied by two portable cabins housing a doctors' surgery and the church.

The school is expected to be the first of several buildings on the site with shops and a doctors' surgery to follow.