SMALLER primary schools in the Launceston area may come under pressure when a new school is built, according to a town councillor.

Cllr Paul O’Brien at last week’s town council meeting reflected on the previous week’s community network panel meeting in the town hall that he attended.

Cllr O’Brien, who is the network panel’s vice chair, told fellow councillors Launceston College will set up the new school on Hay Common as a double class entry school, taking 60 children per year, as reported in last week’s Post.

He said: “I suspect some of the smaller schools on the periphery of the town may come under pressure because of decreased numbers.”

The new school is likely to open in September 2019.

Deputy mayor, Cllr Dave Gordon, said some of the village schools are ‘first choice’ for families, adding: “Choice is a wonderful thing and there will be a bigger choice.”