THE PLANS to give two Island primary schools a complete rebuild have been recommended for conditional permission by planning officers.

Queensgate Foundation Primary School, East Cowes, and Gurnard Primary School, Cowes, could receive brand new schools if the application is approved.

The scheme, which is part of the government's Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP), proposes to replace the existing buildings with two-storey 420 place primary schools at both sites.

In both cases, the new building would be constructed on existing hard sports surfaces to allow education to run as normal in the existing schools until the new build is complete so no temporary buildings would be needed.

Whippingham Parish Council confirmed their support for a new school on the site but have voiced concerns of the proposed design.

Among the concerns are the potential future problems of a flat roof, disabled access in a two storey building and the lack of character in the design.

East Cowes locals have also shown concerns regarding the aesthetics of the 'flat surfaced box-based design' and worries about classroom sizes being designed on a minimum approach which would lead to cramped teaching.

The plans for Gurnard Primary School have not received much negative feedback and Gurnard Parish Council have raised no objections to the application.

Residents have queried whether the ramp and buggy park off Cow Lane can be removed as part of the demolition work, asked that parking should remain far enough away from the road to allow for an effective screen and that an access gate should have restricted access to passers by.

The council's tree and ecology officers have also given recommendations to both sites.

The Isle of Wight Council's planning committee are set to make a decision on the proposals on Tuesday, September 25.