School to get family centre in its grounds

The Sure Start centre, in High Road, Benfleet, will provide education and advice to families with young children, including guidance for parents with drug and alcohol problems.

However, residents are unhappy it is being built in the grounds of Jotmans Hall Primary School.

They claim it will overlook nearby homes and has inadequate parking.

Essex County Council, which is leading the project, has altered the design following a public consultation.

The positioning of windows and doors has been altered to increase privacy and a fence will be put around the building for better security.

Peter Martin, deputy leader of Essex County Council, said: “The county councillor for education, Stephen Castle, and I have reviewed the proposals for the new Sure Start centre.

“We are both satisfied all issues have been addressed and this is the right location.”

The changes have not re-assured all residents.

Janet Smith, 52, of nearby Elmhurst Avenue, said: “It’s going to be open from 8am to 11pm. We don’t want all the hustle and bustle this is going to cause.

“We’re used to peace and quiet once the school finishes, but that will all change.”

The council claims it has provided an extra 16 spaces in the school’s car park to solve the parking problem.

Neighbour Raymond Hilton, 60, of Chestnut Close, said this was a con.

He said: “What they’ve actually done is put a hard surface on a grassy area that was used for cars anyway.

“You used to be able to park 14 cars and now there will be room for 16, with the two extra spaces going to workers at the new centre, so what’s the difference?”

Residents are unhappy the council dropped similar plans to build a Sure Start Centre at Down Hall Primary, Rayleigh, because of similar concerns with parking and security.

Mr Hilton said: “They were complaining about the same things we were, but it seems the council has different standards for different areas.”

It is not known when building work will start on the Benfleet Sure Start centre.