A school is backtracking on an approved planning application "due to funding".

Highworth Grammar School in Ashford was given permission in November to build a standalone building to house IT and science classrooms.

The so-called "Danielsen Centre for Science and Technology" would have been sited to the south west of the main school building.

Included in the allowed construction was an extension to the main school hall which would add two classrooms to Highworth's offering.

It was seen as necessary to meet increasing demands for school spaces in the area, and would've increased capacity by 85 - rising to 1574 students.

However Highworth has now issued a new planning application, stating the block won't be built at the current time but an extension is still on the cards.

In the proposal's supporting statement, the applicant writes: "Since this approval and due to funding, the school do not seek to expand at this moment in time.

"In light of this, Highworth Grammar have reviewed their accommodation needs, and whilst the extension to the dining hall is still required, the new block which was to facilitate the expansion to the school is not currently needed.

"The conditions attached to the previous approval related to the scheme accommodating a school expansion, and resulting in a ‘major’ development, which is no longer the case. As such a number of conditions are no longer considered to be applicable.

"Those conditions which are still applicable have been dealt with as part of this submission, so there should be no delays to works commencing on site as soon as planning permission is granted.

"As planning permission has already been granted for the extension, the proposal is considered to be wholly in accordance with the development plan."

The resubmission is set to be decided by June 1, however this is likely to be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic disrupting council work.

n. To view the plans, or to comment, search 20/00456/AS on the Ashford Borough Council Planning Portal.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford

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