Multi-million pound plans to upgrade education facilities in Clacton have been given top marks.

Essex county councillors met on Friday to discuss a new permanent school building for Bishops Park College, in Jaywick Lane, as well as major improvements at Clacton County High and Colbayns High schools.

The schemes have been put forward as part of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and are aimed at providing enough places for youngsters in the area as well as a massive revamp for existing facilities.

Work at Bishops Park College, which currently operates from a temporary site, will involve a permanent 900-place school, as well as community amenities.

These will include a nursery, cybercafe, fitness suite, community rooms and an all-weather sports pitch.

Councillors on the development and regulation committee at County Hall gave the green light to the scheme - subject to no objections or representations being received by July 30 which raise any new matters.

The chairman of the committee will then refer it to the Secretary of State for determination and, if it is not called in for an inquiry, it will get the final all-clear.

The projects at Colbayns High and Clacton County High schools were approved.

The scheme at Colbayns Clacton's largest secondary school will include a new sports hall, a visual arts building, a covered walkway to link the two sections of the school either side of Pathfields Road, a library, community and nursery facilties and new landscaping.

At Clacton County High School, in Walton Road, staff and pupils will benefit from a new gym and changing rooms, teaching rooms and staff room, a new dining hall, courtyard dining area, kitchens, music rooms and landscaping.

Published Monday, June 30, 2003

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