A NEW sports hall will be built at a Basildon area school, but residents fear it could worsen parking problems and stop emergency vehicles getting to nearby houses.

Permission for the two-storey sports hall at Castledon School in Wickford was granted last night (9 March) by Basildon Council.

The school, which specialises in children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), says it needs better facilities to help improve its students' wellbeing and give them better opportunities in later life.

But residents at the meeting raised concerns that parking problems were already stopping bin lorries from collecting rubbish from neighbouring houses, and more people parking on the street could block emergency vehicles from getting through.

Local resident Samantha Philpot said: "I do think it is going to be good because the children do need a sports centre, but living across the road from the school, if there was ever something we needed emergency services for, you wouldn't ever get an emergency service vehicle down there because the road is always so cramped."

Head teacher Simon Holliday said: "This is an application for a SEND school and we have probably some of the most vulnerable children in the education system.

"I've been head teacher at the academy for a few years now and from my perspective our site really is lacking in adequate facilities for our young people."

Mr Holliday also said the school was currently using its lunch hall for sports, and sixth formers sometimes used community facilities like the local gym.

The area is also home to Bromfords School, which further increases pressure on the roads for parking.

The gate onto Bromfords Close will be temporary as a condition of approval and only construction vehicles working on the hall would be allowed to use it.

Cllr Craig Rimmer said the hall would be a fantastic addition to the borough.

He said: "I acknowledge that maybe something could be done about parking but that is going to come forward in a future application when we're looking at the extra five places in respect of parking."

Special circumstances are needed for building on the green belt, which the The proposals were brought to committee by chair Carole Morris (Con, Wickford North), because of additional concerns about overdevelopment on the green belt.

Cllr Morris was the only committee member to vote against the plans.