CIVIC chiefs have approved plans for housing developers to cover the cost of school places for pupils in areas where new developments are being built.

The plans will see Fareham Borough Council deal with developer contributions for education separately, in order to secure specific funds.

The changes will mean that dedicated funding for education will be secured from developers towards improvements and enlargements of schools which are required to accommodate additional children.

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “It follows on from our local draft plan for housing consultation in which there are four large developments and the effect on school places is something a lot of residents had concerns over.

“This change means we can meet local education needs and developers will know their money will be spent within their development if needs be.”

Hampshire County Council backed the move.

A spokesperson said: “This will allow the county council to negotiate directly with developers to ensure that the impact of new housing on school places is appropriately mitigated and that funding is directly available to deliver additional school places when needed.”

As previously reported, new developments include more than 700 homes in Warsash, 500 in Parkgate, Titchfield and Locks Heath, 475 in Stubbington, 750 in Portchester and 577 in Fareham.