COUNCILLORS will again debate controversial plans for a new primary school in the borough after giving its backers the chance to come up with new ideas.

Plans for the 'Harrier Primary School' on land adjacent to A13 and Love Lane in Aveley were first mooted several years ago and found favour with Thurrock Council planning officers, who recommended approval.

However, when the plans came up for debate at April's meeting of the council's planning committee there were many objections to the scheme and, after initially suggesting they would veto the scheme outright, councillors decided to give the school's developers the chance to come up with changes.

So at this week's meeting of the planning committee (on Thursday, 9 June) they will expect to see significant amendments. A new report has been prepared for the meeting, with oficers still inistent that an overriding need for new school places in the area overides percieved flaws in the scheme. Officers are again recommending the scheme be approved.

However, at the last meeting members were minded to say that the need for new school places in Aveley and the west of the borough was being overstated by officers in a bid to drive an unwelcome scheme through.

Officers from the council's education department are insistent that their figures are right, and councillors will be told: "The council's education department has commented that should the Harrier school not be constructed the Council would be required the provide (and fund) additional 'bulge' classes elsewhere in the pupil planning area.

"If places at local schools could not be offered due to them being full in current year groups, the council would also be required to provide and fund transport if the nearest available school with spaces was more than the statutory walking distance."

And councillors will be told that their concerns over other aspects of the scheme, including the school's name and design, do not hold sufficient weight to refuse the application.

The conclusion of officers is: "The application was deferred from last committee by members as more information was required on a number of matters. There were particular concerns regarding the need, design, agricultural land classification and BREEAM. This report has sought to update and expand on these matters. Taking into account the additional information, the recommendation is one of approval."