A school has won its fight for new sports facilities - thanks to battling councillors.

James Hornsby School in Laindon wants to build floodlit all-weather pitches near Waymarks, but council officers tried to block their use at night and at weekends.

Basildon Council objected to the floodlighting and Essex County Council thought the pitches should not be used after 7pm in the week because it would disturb neighbours.

But councillors at the Essex development and regulation committee on Friday decided to over-rule the objections.

Swatantra Nandanwar (Lab,Vange) said: "To exclude the public on Saturdays and Sundays is unreasonable.

"With the money we have put into this school it could become a centre for sporting excellence.

Published Monday August 23, 2004

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