CONTROVERSIAL proposals to pull down a historic primary school and replace it with a multi-million pound new building could be given the go-ahead this week.

The debate over whether to rebuild or refurbish Stockton Heath Primary School has been ongoing since the start of the year after Government funding was secured for a new building to replace the current structure, which is in dire need of repairs.

The Government has pledged £3.1m for the scheme and the borough council has bumped that figure up to £3.9m, but with added resources the funding available for the new building and its facilities would reach £4.3m.

When the proposals were first announced some parents voiced concerns that by knocking down the current structure, a lot of the village's history would be lost.

The executive committee of Warrington Borough Council is due to meet on Monday to decide on the way forward for the school. A report put before the committee recommended that a new school building should be sanctioned as the feasibility studies and the consultation process show that to be the best option.

The report states: "While there is a significant desire in the community not to lose the old Victorian building it is outweighed by both the practical advantages and the general community opinion which favour the new build option.

"Every effort will be made within available resources to create a design in keeping with the area and to retain appropriate memories of the historic connections the school has with the area."

But one parent said the council should reject the report, saying: "My main concern is the loss of heritage, the children will spend at least a year on what is, in essence, a building site and that is a huge amount of time for a youngster."