THE site of the proposed new primary school on land at Quakers Walk has been set in a draft development brief issued by estate agent Carter Jonas this week.

The plan is to build the school parallel to London Road, close to Parkfields, though residents there will overlook the school playing fields, rather than the school buildings.

This location was the third of three options displayed at a consultation event held at the Cadet Centre at Le Marchant Barracks at the end of January.

But the future of the Quakers Walk scheme, which is included in the replacement local plan for 230 homes as well as the new school, was thrown into doubt last month when a planning inspector granted approval to developers Strategic Land Partnerships to build up to 150 homes on the former Kverneland agricultural machinery factory site in Folly Road.

James Bainbridge of Carter Jonas said the loss of the Quakers Walk scheme would have an impact on the future of primary education provision in the Devizes area.

He said: "It is a matter that the district council is going to have to address. The Quakers Walk scheme includes a primary school as part of the plan. A new primary school is needed and if Quakers Walk does not go ahead, the local authorities will have to find another way of providing it."

The draft development brief also includes measures to protect the ancient footpath of Quakers Walk.

Mr Bainbridge said: "There was a 100 per cent response in the consultation that Quakers Walk should remain as rural as possible. Although Wiltshire County Council highways department are keen on having lighting along it, as far as possible Quakers Walk will remain unlit."

The surface is likely to be upgraded to make it more user friendly as a footpath and cycleway.