New children’s centre planned for former school caretaker’s accommodation in Hullbridge (From Echo)

New children’s centre planned for former school caretaker’s accommodation in Hullbridge

9:20am Friday 25th December 2009 in

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A NEW children’s centre is planned for a primary school in Hullbridge.

Essex County Council wants to build the Sure Start centre at Riverside Primary School, in Ferry Road, in a disused single-storey school building which used to be caretaker’s accommodation.

There would be an outreach and creche facility offering information and advice, family support, health services and support for childminders.

Activities would be on offer from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend and early evening activities.

The centre would have two staff and there would be no changes to car parking, because most visitors are expected to be local and would walk there.

The county council said Riverside was chosen because it is in an area where there are a high number of under-fives and it is a suitable distance from other children’s centres.

The planning statement says the centre “would add a valuable community facility” at the school.

Neighbours and parents were consulted earlier in the year, including an exhibition at the school on July 9.

Hullbridge parish councillors raised concerns about parking when they discussed the application at a recent meeting.

Vice chairman Whilomena Stevenson said: “We feel it would be welcome in the village, because there are lots of young parents here and there aren’t a lot of facilities for them.”

District councillors are aiming to decide on the application by January 7.