A major rebuild of a school on the edge of Norwich is still awaiting the green light - more than a month after it was originally scheduled to be completed. 

When plans to demolish Firside Junior School in Hellesdon were unveiled in November 2022, it was hoped pupils would be taught in the new building from September 2024.

However, a month on from this target date, the ambitious project is still yet to have received planning permission - with its timeframe still up in the air.

The scheme is set to see a new carbon-zero school site built on part of its existing playing field - with pupils still taught in the current building while construction takes place.

Firside Junior School in Hellesdon (Image: Newsquest)

Once the building is complete, the original one will then be demolished and replaced with a new multi-use games arena and parking space.

The delays relate to a dispute over the loss of the sports field while construction work is carried out - with the site currently shared by Firside Athletic youth football club.

An arrangement has been put in place for the club to use Hellesdon High School while work is done.

But while public body Sport England has not formally objected to the scheme, it has said the Hellesdon High arrangement must be formally included in planning documents.

This process is adding further delay to the scheme, which has already seen plans submitted and resubmitted by the Department for Education - the most recent were in August 2023.

Roz Robinson, headteacher of Firside Junior SchoolRoz Robinson, headteacher of Firside Junior School (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Roz Robinson, headteacher at Firside, said: "Since the announcement, we have been working closely with the Department for Education, which is leading on this project and the plans are still progressing.

"The Department for Education is currently awaiting planning consent and as soon as this is complete, we hope to be able to confirm timescales of the new build."