A £1 million expansion by one of Southend's largest private schools looks set to be blocked by planners.

Officers at Southend Council want to stop Thorpe Hall School from going ahead with the development in its grounds because the land is classed as green belt and must be preserved as open space.

A sixth form centre, 300-seater theatre and sports pavilion are all planned for the school in Wakering Road, Thorpe Bay, which, due to pleas from parents, wants to extend its education provision to youngsters aged up to 19.

A scheme for a two-storey sixth form block complete with state of the art information technology, music, drama and art facilities has been drawn up.

The proposed full working theatre and sports pavilion, complete with changing rooms and kitchen, will also be hired out to community groups.

Headteacher David Gibbins said: "This is a major development not just for Thorpe Hall School's own use.

"The Government is encouraging independent schools to open their facilities to the state sector and the community and is putting a lot of money behind the project. The Maplin and District Scouts already use our site, and we hope to extend that."

However, town planners have labelled the scheme as an inappropriate development harmful to green belt land.

They are recommending members of the development control sub committee refuse the plan at their meeting tonight. Officers advise the school to produce a much reduced scheme.

The school's planning consultant, John Newton, said: "We have spoken to the council's planning department and they are to recommend a site visit when myself and headteacher David Gibbins will explain the scheme in detail."

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