YOUNG families in Old Harlow have been waiting anxiously for more news about when the new Gilden Park Primary School to replace Harlowbury primary will be built.

A new plan is now in place, agreed by Essex County Council, Harlow Council and the Gilden Park consortium of developers, to get shovels in the ground.

YH understands that legal and planning issues preventing the start of the school construction have been addressed.

The delay means that the Gilden Park Primary School is expected to open in time for the academic year starting in September 2026.

Cllr Joel Charles, who represents Old Harlow Ward, said:

“Making sure young families in Gilden Park and the surrounding community in Old Harlow can access quality primary school education is important. A new school is going to be built in Gilden Park to meet the need for more primary places.

“I share the frustration locally about the delay in getting the school constructed, but unavoidable legal and planning hurdles needed to be addressed before work on-site could commence. Lessons will be learnt to ensure that this type of community infrastructure is delivered in a more timely manner in future.

“Given the pressing need, Essex County Council has agreed to fund the rest of the cost of building the primary school, alongside the consortium’s contribution. A tendering process will begin to appoint a contractor to build the school to meet the revised September 2026 opening date.

“The future of the existing Harlowbury Primary School site will be decided as part of a wider housing proposal currently being explored by county and district planning officers.”