A SCHOOL is set to expand with a two storey building of nine extra classrooms.

Brightside County Junior and Infant School, in Brightside, Billericay has submitted plans to Basildon Council for the development.

Basildon Council has raised no objection to the plans but Essex County Council has the power to decide on the plans.

The proposal is for the construction of a two storey flat roof standalone specialist teaching block located to the north and west of the existing buildings. There are also plans to extend to the existing staff room and the construction of five additional car parking spaces within the existing car parking area.

The proposed two storey building would have an approximate length of 33 metres and width of 16 metres in depth with new footpaths.

It is proposed to have a contemporary appearance and would be situated between the two existing teaching blocks and it would be largely hidden from any public view and it is considered this will have minimal impact upon the character of the wider area, including the street scene.

The proposed extension to the staff room and car park are located adjoining the existing provision within the site and would have minimal impact on the area.

Residential properties adjoin the site to the southern and part of the eastern site boundaries within the area of the existing classroom blocks.

The two storey block is proposed to be located to the rear of both existing blocks and in excess of 30 metres from the closest residential property.

The existing blocks would provide a barrier between the proposed development and residential dwellings limiting any potential noise or disturbance and overlooking.

The proposed extensions to the staff room and car park adjoin the existing provisions and would be of minimal impact.

It is not considered the proposal will give rise to material harm to residential amenity and will not give rise to additional parking pressures over that of the present operation of the school.

An officers report from Basildon Council states: "The school buildings lie within an area of no notation on the Basildon Local Plan 1998 Proposals Map, where proposals for development will be assessed on their merits and with regard to the Council's adopted Development Control Guidelines and the Saved Policies within the plan.

"The schools playing fields to the north and west of the site fall within the designated area of Open Space where the Council seeks to retain the contribution and amenity value provided by the area."

The main considerations in this instance are the impact on residential and visual amenity and the accommodation requirements of the school.