A school has kicked off its expansion plans with an application to build extra classrooms and facilities for pupils.

Belfairs Academy, in Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, wants to build a three-storey extension to its sports hall and a further single-storey extension to its main hall.

The expansion would allow for a further two classes of 60 pupils a year over the next five years.

Belfairs, which has been rated as “Good” by watchdog Ofsted, is one of several Southend schools which offered to increase its capacity, prompting the council to shelve plans for a new school in the borough to cope with rising numbers.

The three-storey extension linked to the main school building and an existing sports hall block would have a flat roof. The contemporary design would include a large glass section.

The extension would provide 15 additional teaching classrooms, sports facilities and associated rooms.

The main hall extension would also make good use of glass to give it a modern look.

The proposed development would not result in the significant loss of any part of an existing playing field.

A report by planners, who have recommended the scheme for approval, said: “The development would encroach slightly onto the school’s natural turf playing field.

“However, the impact would be minimal as the areas affected would be very small and would only appear to be used for informal recreation.

“The proposed development is considered acceptable in principle.”

Planning officers added: “The three storey linking extension and main hall extension will provide improved and enhanced education facilities.”

More houses being built in the borough as well as an increasing population rate means that demand for school places will increase massively over the coming years.

The Department of Education has recently informed Southend Council it needs two new secondary schools to cope with the estimated 16,622 spaces it suggests is needed in 2023/24.

However, Southend Council is only planning for 1,150 extra places by 2023.

This will include adding 300 places to Belfairs Academy and 150 to Shoeburyness High School, St Thomas More High School, St Bernard’s High School, Eastwood High School and Chase High School.

The Cecil Jones Academy will also add 100 places.