Pakefield school project held up by newts

THE discovery of a group of great crested newts is to hold up plans to build a new school in Lowestoft.As a result of the protected species being found on the Pakefield Middle School site, further surveys will be required before planning permission can be secured for construction to go ahead for the new complex which has been the subject of protests and a major campaign against the project.

THE discovery of a group of great crested newts is to hold up plans to build a new school in Lowestoft.

As a result of the protected species being found on the Pakefield Middle School site, further surveys will be required before planning permission can be secured for construction to go ahead for the new complex which has been the subject of protests and a major campaign against the project.

This survey can only be completed at specific times of the year due to the presence of the newts. The next possible time the survey can begin is February next year.

Once the results of the environmental survey are know an updated planning application will be submitted, taking into account its findings.

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said: 'Parents, staff and young people can be reassured that the changes, approved as part of the School Organisation Review, are progressing and that the deadline of September 2011 will be met.'