The announcement the building will take place on the River Site of the former Midhurst Grammar School brings to an end months of speculation over the siting of the new school buildings.

And now town councillors, who fought hard to ensure the school stayed in the town, want assurances they will be consulted early on the development.

"The town council campaigned very hard to ensure Midhurst was the chosen site for the new academy and we are delighted to hear the new buildings will be on the River Site," said chairman John Etherington.

"We look forward to being closely involved in the planning and development of the new buildings which we would expect to be designed to reflect the character of our town."

The proposals include a new access from the academy to North Street and a school bus interchange which is designed to improve pupil safety and reduce congestion at the end of the school day.

It is hoped the new buildings will be completed for the start of the autumn term in 2012.

West Sussex County Council's business case for new buildings and facilities at Midhurst Rother College was approved by the government's Partnership for Schools and the decision will mean £31m of capital funding support towards the cost.

Midhurst Rother College was the first of four academies to open in West Sussex in January this year.

The new school, formed from the former Midhurst Grammar School, Midhurst Intermediate School at Easebourne and the Herbert Shiner School at Petworth, is sponsored by the United Learning Trust (ULT).

A statement from West Sussex County Council said: "Landowners the Cowdray Trust and Midhurst Educational Foundation are assisting the county council to ensure a single 'secure' site for the academy."

Peter Griffiths, West Sussex Cabinet member for education and schools, said: "I am delighted our business case has been accepted.

"This very significant investment will benefit young people from the Rother Valley for generations to come."

Joe Vitagliano, the academy's principal, said: "This is wonderful news for the Midhurst and Petworth area.

"We have had an excellent first 12 months establishing Midhurst Rother College and now this announcement gives us even more confidence in our mission of ensuring every student is free to achieve, belong and contribute.

"The funding approval of £31m is the most bold and exciting commitment to secondary education in the Rother Valley in over 300 years and reflects the hard work of West Sussex County Council, Partnership for Schools and ULT."

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