More than 300 primary school places could be created in Wilmslow amid fears that hundreds of youngsters could be left without places.

A £3m scheme has been proposed by council bosses to expand provision for pupils in a bid to meet demand created by the town’s growing population.

Plans have been unveiled to expand Wilmslow Grange Community Primary and Nursery School and Dean Oaks Primary School by 105 places each, and work with the trust at Lacey Green Primary Academy, to create a further 120 places.

It is thought that a number of new classrooms would be built as part of the plans.

Mum Kate Okell, 32, who lives near Chapel Lane, Wilmslow, and is mother of one-year-old Charlie, said the plans were needed to overcome a potential lack of school places. She said: “As a mum of a one year old, it’s extremely concerning to hear that there potentially could be a lack of school places in the near future, so this is welcome news.

“I moved to Wilmslow when I was pregnant and we looked at the catchment areas for the local schools which we were very happy with.

“I would be extremely disappointed if we couldn’t get a place and had to take him out of the area.”

From September this year there will be enough primary school spaces for 2,498 children in Wilmslow, including 360 reception class places. Last September, the local authority received 376 admission requests for 345 reception places, and so far 413 applications have been received for September 2013.

If nothing is done, Cheshire East council has predicted there will be a need for 2,725 primary school places by September 2017, leaving a shortfall of 327.

On Monday (April 22) Coun Rachel Bailey, pictured, cabinet member for children and

family services, met officers to discuss investing £3m in building extra classrooms at three of the town’s 10 primary schools.

Joanne Ashcroft, headteacher at Wilmslow Grange, which has already increased its Published Admission Number (PAN) to cater for more pupils, said: “It’s a necessary and positive step because I think places should be made available to children in the local catchment area.

“There have been occasions where schools haven’t been able to accept children from their catchment area.

“We would like to take more children but our classrooms simply aren’t big enough. We would welcome two new classrooms.”

The cost of building works necessary would be funded from the council’s 2013/2014 capital programme and if approved, will include an investment of £887,000 at Wilmslow Grange, £900,000 at Dean Oaks, and £1,237,000 at Lacey Green.

Coun Dennis Mahon, who represents Handforth, said: “Handforth would welcome the addition of any primary school places to cater for the needs of Handforth residents.”