AMESBURY is due to have a new school up and running by September next year.

A planning application to build it on land bordering Stockport Road and the Boscombe Down married quarters is "imminent", according to developer Bloor Homes.

They want to start work this June so that the school will be ready for use at the start of the autumn term in September next year.

The school is part of a development that, if approved, will bring 550 new homes and community facilities on to open fields adjoining Boscombe Down.

A planning application for the whole development is expected to be submitted to Salisbury District Council within the next two weeks.

Ronald Hatchett, strategic planning manager for Bloor Homes, told the Journal they had asked archaeologists to survey the site, which is known to be in an area noted as an important Roman campsite.

He said: "Our planning application is imminent and the work that is going on now is a precursor to any development and to save time.

"If our application is approved, we want to start construction work on the school quickly, because Wilt-shire County Council and Salisbury Dis-trict Council are keen to have a new school opening in September next year, if possible.

"To achieve this, we shall have to start building work in June.

"Getting the archaeologists to work now on the route of the new roads and on the site of the school will save time. Having our application refused is a chance we have to take.

"We are trying to do as much as we can to give the people of Amesbury their new school by next year."