2:30pm Friday 12th March 2010
By Sarah Calkin
AN AGEING nursery will get a new home thanks to a £780,000 cash boost from the Government.
Richmond pre-school, based in the grounds of South Benfleet Primary School, in High Road, has been operating out of an old demountable building for more than 40 years.
Built in the 1960s, the now dilapidated building was supposed to last just 25 years. But it is still in use and suffers from damp and contains asbestos.
Manager Pat Wright said: “There comes a time when you know you need a new building.
“We feel really privileged to have been given such a lot of money.”
The new pre-school building will include a kitchen, a room for children to take a nap, and a meeting room for staff and parents.
At the moment, the office is only big enough for one person.
Some of the cash will also be used to improve the area surrounding the school.
A canopy will installed so youngsters can go outside and work in all weathers.
A planning application has gone into Castle Point Council which will make a decision by April 12.
It is hoped the new pre-school will be built during the summer holidays.
Mrs Wright said: “It will be a lovely modern building when it is finished. After all these years I think we deserve it!”
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