HUNDREDS of new primary school places are set to be created as part of multi-million pound plans to cope with a population increase.

Essex County Council has set aside £6.4million to create 600 new primary school places at four schools in the borough.

The investment will help to cope with the strain of a predicted major population increase in the area.

Under the proposals, Phoenix Primary School, in Leinster Road, Laindon, and Runwell Primary School, in Canewdon Gardens, Runwell, will each gain 210 additional places.

Abacus Primary School, in Tresco Way, Wickford, and Whitmore Primary School, in Whitmore Way, Basildon, would each expand by 105 places.

Ray Gooding, county councillor responsible for education, said: “We recognise Essex is growing rapidly and plan to spend about £200million over the next five years creating new school places across the county.

“Decisions on expansion proposals for Runwell Primary School, Phoenix Primary School, Abacus Primary School and Whitmore Primary School are expected to be taken shortly.

“We have made provision of £6.4million in our capital budget for these four proposed expansion projects.”

At Whitmore Primary School, the expansion would see the yearly intake of pupils increase from 75 to 90 children.

Headteacher Emma Bloomfield said: “The primary reason to do this is so we meet the basic needs of the children in the area, as the increasing population means that there will not be enough places if the current schools stay the same size.”

Abacus Primary School would gain a new school building with three classrooms, an all-weather pitch and improvements to pathways as part of an expansion from 45 to 60 pupils per year.

The school had interest from more than 100 families for the 45 places on offer to start in September.

Chairman of governors Stewart Cassidy said: “Each year, the number of parents selecting Abacus as the first choice for their child is far greater than the number of places available.

“We firmly believe the expansion would benefit Abacus in many ways.

“The school would become an even bigger and more important part of the local community, and expanding the building will provide better facilities and education.”

A decision on whether to grant funding to the schools is expected to be made on July 31.