PLANNING councillors are expected to give the green light to a new secondary school later this week – even though it is recognised the new buildings will impact on the green belt.

The need for new school places in Thurrock is so great however, that officers say the Thames Park School on Chadwell Road between Grays and Chadwell St Mary meets the requirements of very special circumstances that justify inappropriate development.

Thames Park, which is being run by the Osborne Trust that currently includes St Clere's in Stanford-le-Hope among its portfolio of schools, is one of two new secondary schools being planned, the other being Orsett Heath School though that plan appears to have stalled for the moment due to unknown factors relating to the route of the Lower Thames Crossing.

Thames Park School has actually been operating in temporary accommodation in the centre of Grays since September 2020 but councillors will hear there is a "pressing need to relocate existing teachers and pupils out of temporary accommodation into a purpose built and suitable teaching environment."

In addition officers who are recommending approval say: "The urgency for new for pupil places is evident and Thames Park School has been developed as a direct response to this need.

"This application proposes a new, six form entry secondary school to provide 900 places to school years seven to 11. The total figure of 900 students is based on six classes of 30 students for five age groups. A sixth form for year groups 12 to 13 is not proposed."

The new buildings will comprise a single teaching block providing three floors of accommodation, which would be located on the northern part of the site closest to Chadwell Road. A second building comprising a sports block would be located behind the teaching block and adjacent to the boundary with USP Palmer's College.

A hard-surfaced car park would be located at the north-western corner of the site, immediately adjacent to and accessed from Chadwell Road. Two hard-surfaced multi-use games areas (MUGA) would be located adjacent to the teaching and sports blocks. A path would lead down the slope to access an all-weather pitch and natural surface sports field on the southern part of the site.

Councillors will be told it is recognised the new school will cause harm to the green belt.

A statement from planning officers says: "When considering any planning application, local planning authorities should ensure that substantial weight is given to any harm to the green belt. Very special circumstances will not exist unless the potential harm to the green belt by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations'.

"It is clear the proposals comprise inappropriate development. Consequently, the development would be harmful in principle and reduce the openness of the green belt.

"But taking into account all green belt considerations, officers are of the opinion that in this case the identified harm to the green belt is clearly outweighed by the accumulation of factors described above, so to amount to very special circumstances justifying inappropriate development."

The planning meeting takes place on Thursday (18 March) and the outcome will be reported on Thurrock Nub News.