An ambitious proposal for a state-of-the-art complex to boost the life chances of hundreds of children in the St Paul’s area of Bristol is expected to get support in principle from the city council’s Cabinet next week (January 10th 2008).

The proposed £10.5 million scheme would aim to provide a new Cabot Primary School with increased capacity for 420 pupils - plus a Children’s Centre to provide care for young children, specialist support for their parents and carers and potentially even a new family doctor’s surgery.

The project is envisaged as part of the Dove Lane regeneration programme, being taken forward by a consortium of two leading developers working with local interest groups.

Cllr Derek Pickup, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said: “This is a very exciting, ambitious and innovative proposal and it’s got my full backing.

“It won’t be an easy scheme to deliver and there are many issues that still need to be resolved. But if we can pull this off we will make a significant difference to the life chances of children in one of our city’s most disadvantaged areas.

“ By giving support in principle to this scheme the Cabinet would be demonstrating its commitment to tackling social and educational disadvantage in an part of our city where many people are from the African and African Caribbean communities.

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