COUNTY planners have approved a scheme to build a controversial replacement primary school in Devoran.

To the disappointment of campaigners against the scheme looking on from the public gallery, councillors voted by 18 to three to go ahead with the scheme.

Because of the project is a departure from the Local Plan, it will have to be passed to the Government Office for the South West for final approval.

Truro independent member Armorel Carlyon said she found that the scheme "violates almost every planning policy ever written".

She also regretted the loss of two hectares of grade two agricultural land which, with she considered "the best and most versatile" kind.

Graham Hicks (Redruth South) was also critical of going against the Local Plan. "I suggest we change the council motto from 'one and all' to 'one rule for one and one rule for another'," he said.

"Is this setting a good example for the county council?" he asked. "I think not."

Planning chief Mark Jones alleged few people were in disagreement with the fact that Devoran needed a new school.

The real controversial issues came down to matters of traffic and highways, which were not strictly within the remit of the planning committee and which would be reviewed at a later date.

There was concern that the school will access directly in to Devoran Lane, a narrow road that carried residential traffic. Protesters against the scheme would have preferred access from the rear of the lane.

Mr Jones said when the Carnon Gate extension to the A39 Carnon Downs bypass was completed, the traffic pressure on the new school would ease. But, he stressed, because of complex environmental consultations it could be 2008 before that road improvement was in place.

Committee chairperson Matt McTaggart told the meeting: "We have carefully considered the benefits which a new school will bring to Devoran and its impact on the environment.

"Officers have advised that the design of the school, access parking and highway calming measures mean that the highway network will be as safe, if not safer, than the existing situation."

Before the meeting, campaigner against the plan, Maggie Francis, was hopeful that councillors' minds could be changed. She is in favour of keeping the school in the village centre.

Mr Jones agreed that the current school was a fine old building and should be given a new lease of life in some community-orientated capacity.

But Wadebridge independent Colin Brewer questioned why a new school was needed when 40 per cent of the currently children attending were from outside the catchment area - as far away as Camborne, Falmouth and Penryn. He also pointed out that the school had had £1m spent on it ten years ago.

In a letter distributed at the meeting, the Governors of Devoran School gave their official support to the proposal.

"We believe that the educational case for relocation is overwhelming and without controversy," they wrote.

"The proposed design is both sensitive to local residents and exciting, and we believe highway and access issues have been assessed carefully by those who are qualified to do so.

"To the extent that the governing body's co-operation is required to ensure any highway/access issues are properly dealt with, we give that commitment."