A property developer has agreed to deliver a 'serviced site' at Westcombe Park, for the construction of a primary school and pre-school in Heybridge.

A spokesperson for Countryside Properties, the company responsible for the development, told Nub News: "Countryside will deliver a serviced site to Essex County Council, adjacent to the new local centre at Westcombe Park, for a new two-form entry primary school and early years facility."

A 'two-form entry school' means there will be two classes in each year group.

Countryside says it will also make a 'substantial financial contribution' of around £3 million to help the County Council 'deliver' the school. It says other developments within the North Heybridge Garden Suburb will also contribute towards education provision.

Westcombe Park is set to include provision for a second pre-school nursery facility. This will be located within the local centre.

Maldon's Plume Academy is also set to expand under the current plans.

The spokesperson continued: "Westcombe Park will contribute circa £4 million towards secondary education provision, which we understand Essex County Council will use towards the planned two-form expansion of The Plume as detailed in their published plans."

Recently, Maldon District Council received a planning application from Countryside, which included the primary school and early years facility, along with a relief road through the Westcombe Park development.

A spokesperson for Essex County Council told Nub News: "Negotiations over the precise site boundary are ongoing. 

"The agreement with Countryside Properties also includes financial contributions, but additional funding from other sources would be needed."

When asked whether the new educational provision will benefit families already living in and around Maldon, the spokesperson said: "School places are planned on an area-wide basis and the proposed new primary school at Limebrook Way in Maldon will ensure there is sufficient local capacity over the next few years.   

"As Westcombe Park and other nearby developments are built, the demand for school places will be carefully monitored and proposals to add capacity either at existing schools or through the construction of a new school will be brought forward and consulted upon.

"The planning, construction and commissioning of new education facilities usually takes around two years from this point. 

"Under current legislation any new school is likely to be an Academy, which would require Department for Education approval."