An undersubscribed village primary school says it is in favour of more houses being  built in the area.

Cleeve Prior CE Primary School, which has only 21 pupils, has responded to proposals for a large housing estate in the village by saying it is in need of new children.

Malvern Homes wants to build up to 100 new homes at Wayside Caravan Park in Evesham Road.

The developer is in the process of buying up the land piece by piece and has submitted a proposal to develop the site to Wychavon District Council.

Villagers appear to be divided on the plans, with some saying Cleeve Prior isn’t big enough to cope with such a development, while others say it would be a big improvement on the current state of the site.

Headteacher Sarah Laughlin said the school is hoping for a decision on the plans to be made as quickly as possible.

In her response to the planning consultation, she wrote: “Our school is currently undersubscribed with only 21 places taken from a maximum potential of 105 places.

“The school has spaces for many more children.

“Cleeve Prior is a small village with an ageing population, a low birth rate and largely unaffordable house prices for both purchase and rental.

“As such, without this development, our 170-year-old school is at risk. Our numbers are low due to the issues stated.

“We therefore wanted to clarify our school’s current position and would welcome as speedy a decision as possible to secure the future of our existing pupils at the school and the exciting possibility of welcoming new children to educate, as we have done for nearly two centuries.

“I am sure the council would prefer to retain a rural school for future generations and make decisions that are beneficial for the village as a whole and to support its historical infrastructure.”

Mrs Laughlin told us: “We have written to the planning authority in support of the Evesham Road development as it will have significant importance on securing the future of the school.

“Our school is currently undersubscribed with only 21 places and without this development, our 170-year-old school is at risk.

“We have plenty of space in the school and are thrilled at the idea of welcoming new children for education and help maintain a rural school for future generations.”