A SCHOOL will have to move two new mobile classrooms after bungling officials realised they are too close to homes, breaching council planning rules.

George Tomlinson Primary School, in Vernon Road, Leytonstone, agreed in September to take an extra 30 pupils due to a shortage of school places in Waltham Forest.

Council officers and staff and governors from the school agreed where the mobiles should be placed and they were erected in November.

Council officers had mistakingly assumed that planning permission had already been granted.

It was then discovered the classrooms are too close to neighbouring homes, meaning a retrospective planning application was doomed to failure.

The classrooms are now likely to be moved closer to the school so they comply with planning guidance.

Cllr Chris Robbins, cabinet member for children, said: "Discussions are continuing between the council, school staff and governing body to address this issue with minimum impact on pupils' education and I would like to thank parents and neighbours for their understanding and patience with this issue."

Mandy Stewart, George Tomlinson headteacher, declined to speak to the Guardian about the mistake.