A HEADTEACHER says he is “absolutely delighted” that plans for a £1.1 million badminton centre have got the thumbs up from the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

Plans for the “world class” eight court sports hall, which could be used as a training venue for paralympic athletes, at William Edwards School and Sports College in Stifford Clays Road were approved on Monday.

John King, who will be retiring as headteacher from the school at Easter told the Gazette: “This is great news, I am absolutely delighted and so pleased with the outcome and the conditions set.

“We are committed to working with the community on this and will endeavour to consult with them throughout the project.

“I would hope the first phase of building work will start by the summer.”

Badminton England, Thurrock Council, the Department of Education and the school have all ploughed money into the project.

The centre is set to be called the Badminton Essex South Performance Centre and will incorporate South East England Disability Badminton Centre.

The Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation (TTGDC) planning committee deferred the application at the November meeting after residents raised concerns about the look and location of the building.

Resident Joyce Mac-Fairlaw, who lives on a farm near the school, spoke at the meeting in opposition to the plans and gave the planning committee an alternative site plan for the building.

Deputy headteacher, Steve Munday, who will take over as the new headteacher from Easter said after the meeting: “This is a facility the school has been lacking for a long time, and I have always stressed there are great opportunities for the community to get world class coaching in after school hours.

“I hope that within about 12 months we should have the courts open.

“I am confident we will have interest from disability groups who will be able to use the venue and it could even be used as a training venue by athletes training for the 2012 Olympics.”