ANGRY parents and neighbours voiced their opposition to a children’s centre being built at a primary school.

More than 100 people attended a public meeting at Down Hall Primary School, in Rayleigh, last Wednesday evening, where there are plans to build the Sure Start centre next to the school.

Parents and residents voiced fears the centre would cause more traffic in already-congested roads and endanger pupils.

At the heated meeting, a vote among the audience showed only two people were in favour of it.

In the wake of the opposition to the original scheme when it was unveiled in July, Essex County Council produced a scaled-down version with four parking spaces, compared to none before.

Stephen Castle, the Tory county councillor for Rayleigh and the councillor for education, insisted plans to build the centre were not finalised and other locations could be found.

Parent Tony Dean, 47, of Temple Way, Rayleigh, said: “Nobody here wants this centre because of the traffic and parking.

“It looks very good for the community, but not here at this school.”

Mr Dean suggested that land behind Asda, in Rawreth Lane, be used instead.

The centre would be used by about 12 to 15 youngsters at a time and be open from 8am to 6pm seven days a week. Access would be from Torquay Close.

Headteacher Lou Reck spoke in favour of the centre and tried to reassure people it would be secure and separate from the school.

She also said it would help provide funding for two new classrooms, which would be built as part of the development, but is £100,000 short of the half-a-million-pound total needed.

Parent Nicola Davis, 35, of Paignton Close, Rayleigh, said: “We already have all these services available all over Rayleigh.

“We have multiple mother and toddler groups.

“A much better place would be in the town that’s accessible by public transport and cars.

“This particular school is not suitable and the need for those services is not here.”

Mr Castle said he personally thought other locations in Rayleigh would be more suitable and would try to make a decision in the next two weeks.