PLANS have been unveiled to expand a nursery and add new teaching training facilities to a school.

Northlands Primary School and Nursery, in Basildon, is looking to shift its nursery to a brand new purpose-built home.

It will allow the school, part of the Lee Chapel Multi Academy Trust, to take on 30 more youngsters as well as adding a teacher training area.

It would see teachers from across the borough use the new building to train.

In plans submitted to Basildon Council, the school hopes it will be given the go-ahead

It reads: “The existing nursery is in need of refurbishment with a second class base being required to provide facilities for an additional 30 children.

“There will be two sessions commencing with a breakfast club from 8.30am until 11.30am and an afternoon club from 3pm until 6pm.

“The staff levels will be the same as in the current nursery and school area. The existing nursery is being refurbished.”

Keith Bobbin, a governor at the school for more than 30 years, says the school has changed beyond recognition.

Mr Bobbin believes that it will be a welcome addition to schooling in the borough.

He said: “It will be of great benefit and will serve not just the youngsters, but also teachers in and out of the school.

“It will help to give Basildon and Pitsea a good name for provision of nursery places and for the teachers it will be great.

“They will be able to come there to train and will have far more equipment.”

A final decision on the plans will be made by Basildon Council by May.

Parents in Basildon have had a glimpse of expansion plans at neighbouring primary schools and nurseries.

Ghyllgrove Community Infant and Junior schools, in The Gore will have a £2.4million project for 210 new places created to help meet growing demand for school places in the area due to new developments.

Five new classrooms are being built at Whitmore Primary School and Nursery, in Whitmore Way, Basildon, which will create 150 extra places for pupils.

For more information, visit planning.basildon.gov.uk/online-applications/ and search “17/00192/FULL”.