A much-needed new school with a sports pitch “the size of Twickenham” will finally get underway after receiving its final seal of approval.

Planning officers have granted delegated approval for the new Orsett Heath Academy to be built on land around Thurrock Rugby Club in Grays.

Thurrock’s planning committee granted permission for the South West Community Trust to use of the land for a new school in October last year following an application on behalf of the Department for Education but a detailed plan has only just been approved.

Delays to the scheme meant the trust had to announce it could not take a new cohort of new Year 7 pupils in the 2023 academic year.

The school already has two temporary buildings on the site operating as annexes.

The second annexe which opened this month has seven classrooms for this year’s intake but without the new building there would be no more room for pupils.

The new eight-form secondary school will provide places for 1,200 children from Year 7 to Year 11 The trust now hopes the new main school will be open for the 2023/24 intake.

Steve Munday, chief executive of the for the South West Community Trust, said: "After a series of setbacks with the main site, completely beyond the control of the South West Community Trust, we are pleased with this important development.

"This now clears the way for the Department for Education to progress works at pace. A confirmed schedule for completion will be shared with pupils and parents first.

"The Trust will continue to ensure exceptional provision is in place for our pupils at the interim site, taking advantage of the excellent new facilities, open for September 2022.

"This includes new specialist classrooms, IT enhancements and a floodlit Alternative Grass Pitch the size of Twickenham."

A report to the council said: “There is a pressing need to relocate existing teachers and pupils out of the temporary location into a purpose built and suitable teaching environment.

“The urgency for new for pupil places is evident and the permanent base for the Orsett Heath Academy has been developed as a direct response to this need.”