Council postpones contract to build school

Devon County Council has expressed its disappointment at having to postpone a contract to build a new primary school on the outskirts of Exeter.

Work on the Trinity Church of England Primary was due to start last month (Monday 7 September) but the County Council has now put the contract on hold pending agreement with the landowners regarding the site situated near to the Newcourt housing development. This follows protracted negotiations from which it has not been possible to reach agreement to progress the project in the immediate term.

Devon County Council Leader John Hart said: "Unfortunately, we have been left with no choice but to postpone the project. This is not a decision we have taken lightly but, despite lengthy discussions, we have simply been unable to reach agreement on some key issues which have arisen very late in the day.

"This would have been a fantastic project, but at this time it looks as though it will remain a longer term aspiration. The decision means the school will not open in September 2016 as planned but we are committed to finding a way through this difficulty and will continue with negotiations."