The official turf-cutting, marking the start of work on the new Loddiswell Primary School took place on Thursday, after decades of waiting.

The school is currently hemmed in in the centre of the one-way system of the village, meaning there is no way to expand or extend the school, they’re right next to the road and the playing fields are a 20 minute walk away.

Ray Radford, chair of Devon County Council, officially ‘broke ground’ at the site at Woolston Fields, at the end of the new estate built in the village, surrounded by the pupils of Loddiswell Primary School, teachers, governors and members of the council.

Mr Radford said: ““I am so pleased to be here to share this very special day. When this building is finished will be the first time this school has all its facilities on one site, including new playing fields and hard playing area and will be away from the busy road.

“The fact that we are all here today is the result of the excellent cooperation between the school, South Hams Federation and the county council, but particularly the Harvey family, who gifted the land to the new school as part of the planning process.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in this new school and look forward to seeing you at the official opening in 2018.”

There was a round of applause from all those gathered at the site, as the spade was dug into the ground, officially marking the start of the building, which is expected to be finished next year.

Sue Jezzard, executive headteacher for Loddiswell Primary said: “I want to say thank you to everybody , its been a unique partnership. I want to thank Sarah Jane for all the work she did leading up to this.

“Between us all we’ve made the impossible, possible. I must thank Mr Harvey and his family and Devon County Council, because actually we have a site that is future-proof for the generations to come, thank you for working with us.”

Midas Construction has been appointed as DCC’s preferred contractor for the new Loddiswell Primary School project, with the design and project management being undertaken by NPS and HBS.

There is a video of the momentous occasion below, apologies for Mr Radford facing the wrong way!