Proposals to build seven new primary schools for nearly 1,500 pupils across Suffolk are set to be discussed by councillors next week.

Suffolk County Council’s cabinet will also hear there is a need for two new special schools catering for youngsters with specific learning needs.

The schools would need to open in 2018 or 2019.

Next Tuesday’s cabinet meeting in Ipswich will hear there is a need for two new primary schools in Ipswich – one in the south west of the town to cater for the “Wolsey Grange” development and one in the town centre – and one new primary school in each of Sudbury, Stowmarket, Lowestoft, Lakenheath, and Red Lodge.

The county is also planning to convert the former Carlton Colville Primary School – which was a temporary base for the Beccles Free School – into a special school.

And it wants to build a new school in Ipswich for pupils who are on the autistic spectrum.

Although the schools are being proposed to open in September 2018 or 2019, the cabinet will be told it is important to make a decision now.

A report for the cabinet says: “Although we are forecasting the need to open the new schools in September 2018 or 2019, the pace of housing development is not easily determined.

“Because of this we may delay opening or bring forward some schools where developments are moving faster or slower than expected.

“We allow three years for a new school to be established, particularly where we need to acquire land, so early planning and feasibility is prudent.”

Although the county is planning to identify land and to allow the new schools to be built, changes to the way schools are run means it would not be able to operate them itself and would need to look for sponsors to open them as academies or free schools.

The paper is to be debated at next Tuesday’s meeting of the cabinet – but it would be a major surprise if that turned down the proposals.