Fairfield School will move to a new site in 2005

The new school will be built on the site of St Thomas More RC school, and will have space for 1,080 pupils.

The go-ahead was given at a meeting of Bristol City Council's development control committee.

Councillor Peter Abraham, executive member for education, said: "We want to create schools fit for the 21st Century."

The move means St Thomas More will close from August 2005. The council has promised a public consultation on the closure next term.

A proposal to move St Thomas More to the nearby Lockleaze School site was turned down by the council.

The council said the projected cost of the move, at �750,000, was too expensive.