AN INFANTS school has had its bid to expand and build a nursery blocked.

Kents Hill Infant Academy, in Kents Hill Road, Benfleet, applied to Castle Point Council to build a brand new nursery on the school site.

The nursery would have provided 30 school places, increasing the capacity of the nursery, infant and junior school to 660 pupils.

But the application was rejected, with the council stating there was not clear evidence of a demand for the facility, as well as claiming it represents inappropriate development on the green belt.

The application also included plans for a hard-standing play area.

The school, which currently has no onsite nursery, was aiming to provide a link between a nursery and infant school.

The proposal said: “The proposal is required as at present the school does not have adequate nursery facilities and they wish to provide the service for the community and its children.

“It will also implement a stepping stone from the nursery to the infant school, which will be beneficial for pupils who follow this path.”

The plans would also have seen the nursery hire three new staff members, and a new car park built.

Planning officers from the council said in response: “Whilst the submission of the current application does indicate a level of need, no evidence has been submitted by the applicant to justify the demand for such facilities. Consequently, at this time there is insufficient information to justify need.

“No very special circumstances have been identified to justify approving the proposal contrary to green belt policy.

“An objection therefore stands and the proposal represents inappropriate development which by definition would harm the character, appearance and strategic function of the green belt.”