A school is looking to boost teacher recruitment by building communal accommodation for staff on its campus.

William Edwards School in Grays is looking develop a schoolhouse with rooms for up to six teachers at the southern edge of the school fields.

Thurrock Council's planning committee has granted the project planning permission despite it being Green Belt land on condition that occupation is limited to teachers working in Thurrock.

Brenda Watson, head of the school in Stifford Clays Road, said: "For some time now we've had accommodation for three teachers at the old caretaker's house. This application is for an extension to increase the number of places to six and to provide a shower room.

"It's part of a recruitment and retention scheme. It makes it far more attractive to young graduates who find it difficult to move to this area because of the cost of accommodation."

Published Monday, March 11, 2002