A headteacher has told of his amazement at a council decision which could deprive his school of a £2.5m grant.

St Thomas More School for Boys in Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff, was refused planning permission by Southend Council for a new building despite altering designs to address concerns of local residents.

Now the school fears the refusal means a new building would not be available for September 2003, which could result in it losing a £2.5m grant from the Government.

Headmaster Frank Keenan said: "The school is amazed and disappointed with the decision of the council's development control committee.

"It has done its best to meet the objections of the local residents by reducing the height of the proposed building from three to two storeys and make it further away from the boundary.

"The school finds it is in a crazy position whereby the Government through the Department for Education wants to give the school £2.5m to provide much needed facilities for the extra pupils it has taken in as part of the Southend borough's urgent project to increase the number of secondary school places.

"The council, through the local education authority, is providing a substantial amount of money to the school for this project.

"It seems unbelievable that six local councillors can derail the project which the whole council has given support to."

Chris Boosey, of nearby Arundel Gardens, said none of the residents wanted the school to lose the £2.5m grant but were strongly opposed to the plans as they stood.

He said: "I would be mortified if the school lost the grant - it is a school I may send my son to in the future.

"If the school wants a new building it should be built by the sixth form block."

Published Monday, April 8, 2002