Plans for a new 420-place primary school have sparked concerns roads could be clogged by parents picking up and dropping off their children.

Norfolk County Council has applied to itself for permission for the 420-place school on land off Colney Lane in Cringleford, close to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The proposals have been backed by Sport England, which welcomed plans for a playing field with football pitches, a running track, a rounders pitch and for a multi-use games area with tennis courts and a netball court.

However, Cringleford Parish Council, while not objecting, has raised concerns about the arrangements for dropping off and collecting children.

Eastern Daily Press: Plans for the new primary school at CringlefordPlans for the new primary school at Cringleford (Image: NCC)

In their submission to the county council, the parish council said: "Despite the best endeavours of authorities to diminish vehicular travel to school, it is folly to believe parents will not continue to use cars to drop off children at school, especially in poor weather.

"The proposed school sits on a broad double-curve of the main primary through road of the Cringleford Heights estate – Woolhouse Way – and has no area specifically designated for dropping off children in the plans.

"Any parents/carers dropping off children will stop outside or near
the single entrance potentially blocking the entrance and impeding traffic along Woolhouse Way."

Eastern Daily Press: Plans for the new primary school at CringlefordPlans for the new primary school at Cringleford (Image: Norfolk County Council)

The parish council added it was also "quite ludicrous" the school did not have a minibus or coach drop-off point.

The parish council stated: "We request, therefore, that for safety reasons, if nothing else, a re-modelling of the planned entrance be considered to create a flattened, semi-circular pull-in with a one-way system for cars that would enter by the current gate but leave by one further along the road."

But highways officers at County Hall said: "There is not a requirement for the school to provide further mitigation measures other than a school no stopping at any time zig zag restriction, to control parking."

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk County Council deputy cabinet member Daniel ElmerNorfolk County Council deputy cabinet member Daniel Elmer (Image: Archant)

When the plans were unveiled, Daniel Elmer, deputy cabinet member for children's services at the county council, said: "This school, if approved, would be extremely welcome in the area, helping to ensure local people can get their children into a local school."

The county council's planning committee will decide whether to allow the proposal at a meeting in 2023.