A Colchester school today won permission to sell off its playing fields for housing.

Stanway School's plans for expansion have been granted permission after a planning appeal.

The school wanted to sell its playing field to developers to fund much-needed improvements but the plan was initially knocked back by Colchester councillors.

An appeal against that decision was heard in October and the Secretary of State has now ruled that the appeal be allowed.

Stanway School headteacher, Jonathan Tippett, said today: "Obviously, we are pleased from the extent that we will be able to redevelop the school."

Mr Tippett said the Winstree Road school was currently in the process of choosing architects who could become involved with the project, although he stressed everything was still in its early stages.

The 17-acre school playing field, which was due to be sold off for about £7.5 million for housing development in order to fund the work, has not yet been bought.

The proposals were said at the appeal to have split the community as parents felt they were having to chose between their children's education and the proposed housing development.

Two basic developments are planned at the school the provision of superior facilities for the school's 975 pupils and the creation of a community facility building based round the sports hall.

Published Friday, May 2, 2003

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