DESIGNS for Oxford's new Swan School have gone live online, marking the start of public consultation.

Residents can now comment on plans for the secondary school and sixth form in Marston, after plans were lodged last week.

Oxford City Council has published the planning documents online, consisting of hundreds of pages of information and pictures about the school.

The River Learning Trust hopes to build the free school on the site of the current Harlow Centre, off Raymund Road, in time for pupils to start in September 2019.

Included in planning documents were quotes from residents, submitted to Swan School developers during its own public consultation last year.

One parent quoted in the application said: "I am delighted that something is being done to address the dire shortage of school places for Marston children.

"The plans look like a good use of space and measures are in place to address the traffic problem."

Another couple quoted said they endured a 'nightmare' trying to find their daughter a secondary school place.

They noted that Cherwell School and Cheney School are oversubscribed and St Gregory the Great Catholic School is still in special measures, adding: "This is a ridiculous situation.

"Of course Marston needs a new secondary school - it's a no brainer."

Consultation runs until June 15 and a decision should be made by August 10.

A team at ADP Architecture, based in Park End Street in Oxford, designed the plans in partnership with developer Galliford Try, the RLT and the Government agency responsible for free schools (the ESFA). 

To view and comment on the plans, search the council’s website for 18/01173/FUL.