ESSEX County Council has confirmed that the planned redevelopment of St John's secondary school in Epping has been postponed indefinitely due to funding problems.
The project, which will involve the demolition of the current school in Tower Road to be replaced by a new structure and 149 flats built on the Green Belt land, was granted planning permission last summer but work has still yet to begin.
The authority's cabinet member for education, Cllr Stephen Castle, refused to speak to Guardian about the issue, but a spokeswoman admitted that some rumours about funding problems were correct.
She said: “Essex County Council will continue to work with the Diocese of Chelmsford and the governing body of the school to confirm the redevelopment programme for St John's School.
"The costs were due to be met through selling an area of the school site owned mainly by the school’s trustees.
"Following the recession and its impact on the housing market, it is estimated that the proceeds of a sale would no longer meet the full costs of a new school premises, and so additional funding source(s) will need to be identified before the project moves forward.
"The construction costs have not risen above initial estimates. We will continue to work with the governing body to move this project forward.”
It has been rumoured that building works were supposed to start in February, and that privately the council thinks it will be at least five years before work can begin.
Are you a parent of a child at St John's school? What do you think about the delay? Contact the Guardian on 0779 547 6625 or email dbinns@london.newsquest.co.uk
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