A campaign group has launched a last ditch attempt to persuade Essex County Council to build a primary school.

The Heybridge West campaign for a primary school and adequate play area wants the council to take up an option to buy land for a school off Elizabeth Way on the new Elms Farm estate.

In recent years 584 houses have been built or approved on the estate and more are planned.

Essex County Council was given an option to buy the land from developer Bovis Homes at residential value but refused. The option runs out on November 23.

Now the group has compiled a report which it has sent to the council. The report says figures used by the council were incorrect and Heybridge does need another school.

Beryl Claydon, chairman of the group, said: "To suggest that one is not needed is absurd. If they let this site go they won't get another."

The report, after a survey of residents, argues the existing school - Heybridge County Primary - is oversubscribed and too far away from the Elms Farm site.

John Durrant, school planner at Essex County Council, said: "In view of the effort and time people have put into this we should give the report the due care and attention it requires. I would like to have another look at our decision in the light of what has been presented to us."

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