Angry county councillors are set to take a look around the new Wickford school - amid claims their concerns fell on deaf ears.

Oakfield Primary School, on the Wick estate, has been fitted with an aluminium sheeting roof only seen locally on Stansted Airport and the Laindon Community Centre.

Members of the county council's planning committee argued the roof would prove inappropriate for a school which relies on clear communication. Basildon councillor Bob Sears said he had been at church services where the venue had this kind of roofing.

He recalled how ceremonies often had to be stopped due to the loud sound of rain.

He added: "I am a bit concerned the roof has been put on while these discussions are still taking place. It is a very noisy material which would no doubt disrupt lessons."

The committee was brought together to decide on the colour of the roof, which stands as charcoal.

But, discussions showed an obvious disappointment in the fact the roof had been put in place without proper consultation.

Councillors will now take a look around the £1.4 million school, off Maitland Road, before they make a final decision on the material.

Councillor Tony Ball, chairman of the Wickford area committee, said: "I am disappointed county seems to have over-ruled or ignored any objections raised by Basildon Council planners in October.

"One has to ask what is the point of consultation with the district council if no note is going to be made of it at all?"

Another Wickford councillor, Iris Pummell, raised the point: "In reality, this is a retrospective planning application as the roof is already in place. If a member of the public had done something like this they would be ordered to remove the roof."

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