A Rooksdown resident has unveiled plans to set up Basingstoke's first free school.
Simon Bound, a development manager at the newly-launched Rooksdown Community Centre, told the Observer he was finalising proposals to launch a 410-pupil primary school.
The 43-year-old said the school would help address a predicted shortfall in primary school places across the borough.
And he is calling on residents to show their support for the scheme at a series of public consultation events later this month.
Mr Bound said it was time for residents to stand up and take a leading role in their children's education.
“Myself and a couple of others have become a bit fed up with everybody saying a school is on the plan, but who knows when Hampshire County Council is going to build it,” he said. “The free school process allows us really to take the bull by the horns and say that we are not going to wait.”
We reported last month that the county council predicts that there will be a shortfall of 48 Reception places in September 2013.
And in 2011, in total 15 extra places had to be found in Bramley and Overton primary schools to cope with 30 youngsters left without a school place. The county council believes that up to three new primary schools will have to be built in the next 10 years.
Since the launch of the first free school in September 2011, the coalition Government has been urging parents, teachers and charities to establish the state-funded independent schools if communities can demonstrate a demand.
Mr Bound said his group was applying for a £600 grant from Rooksdown Parish Council to set up the Rooksdown Primary School Trust. Plans will then go on show at the Park Prewett Road community centre where supporters will be urged to sign a petition.
The trust could then apply for a slice of the Governments £8.5m cash-pot set aside for free schools. The consultations will be held on January 23 from 8.30pm, and January 29 from 2pm to 4pm.
