Plans for a new school in Cheltenham have been revealed by Gloucestershire County Council.

The proposed site is the area of land next to Kidnappers Lane, which has also been suggested as potential housing land.

Councillor Richard Boyles, cabinet member for children and young people said: “We’ve said all along that there is a real need for additional school places in the south of Cheltenham.  This project will help make sure education right across Cheltenham is fit for the future.”

The council says that without the new school, 128 children will be left without a year 7 place in 2019, and there is already a lack of secondary school places in Cheltenham.

Councillor Max Wilkinson reacted to criticism of the plans on Twitter.

We need a new school. The places it could go are limited. The site in question is either going to have houses, or a school with houses.

If we don’t build it, the places crisis that’s been ignored by the county until now gets much worse.

Let’s get on with building the school. https://t.co/IwDLK4Pj1y

— Max Wilkinson (@mpmwilko) 30 November 2017

Developers are expected to submit plans for the new school soon, with a series of public consultations designed to involve the local community in the project.