Work on the new Loddiswell Primary School will start next month.

The new four-classroom school will be built in the bottom corner of the Bloor Homes development site at the top of the village, opposite the playing fields. Work is expected to be completed by March 2018.

For the first time, the school will have all its facilities on site, including a playing field and hard play area. Currently the school is located in the one-way system at the top of Loddiswell hill, meaning there is no room for expansion.

The site for the school was gifted to the community by farmer Paul Harvey, as part of the original planning permission for the housing development.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet member for schools, James McInnes, said: “This new school is being built as a result of excellent community cooperation in conjunction with the South Hams Federation and the county council.

“It will provide 21st century learning facilities for the children of the area and have the capacity to expand to five classes as the school grows.”

Sue Jezard, executive head of the South Hams Federation, which includes Loddiswell, Stokenham, Malborough and Modbury primaries, said: “This is a very special day, not just for the staff, governors and more importantly, the children, but also for the whole community of Loddiswell.

“The replacement school has been much anticipated. We are very grateful to everyone who has worked tirelessly to make the impossible possible for the benefit of our children now and for many years to come, in particular, the Harvey family, who have so generously gifted the land for our new school.

“The new school will provide a purpose-built exciting environment for high quality teaching and learning.

“The community can feel that they now have a primary school that will provide an outstanding school environment; a super legacy for our future generations.”

Local county councillor Rufus Gilbert said: “I am delighted that this long-awaited school is now proceeding. It’s very good news for the children of Loddiswell.

“I would pay tribute to the many people who have given a huge amount of time to achieve this result and I want to thank Devon County Council who realised the need and urgency to grasp this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”