A SCHOOL which is over-populated is looking to extend its dining hall after the current one was deemed “not suitable” for the current number of students.

Halstead’s Ramsey Academy is seeking for permission for the proposal, saying it needs “a dining facility to enable the academy to cope”.

The Ramsey Academy is a secondary school with a five-form entry for students aged 11 to 16.

It has 793 students on the roll, with a capacity of just 750.

The planning statement says: “As part of the continued improvements at Ramsey Academy, it has been identified that the existing dining facilities are not suitable for the current student numbers, and with the continued growth within the local area, Ramsey Academy need to protect themselves against future demands.”

It continued: “The existing dining hall is not suitable for the current student numbers and requires extending.

“The academy is currently using space not designated as a dining facility to enable the academy to cope."

The proposal is to provide a single-storey extension to the south of the main academy building to accommodate larger dining space for students and staff.

Proposals include an approximate six-and-a-half meter extension to the south of the existing dining hall and kitchen area.

As part of the works, the existing extract system for the kitchen will need to be relocated and will utilise an existing redundant extraction point through the roof in the kitchen.

The new extension would allow for approximately 700-1,000 students in two to four sittings, with the academy looking to utilise the potential of having two to three sittings to accommodate the current and future students.

The planning statement added: “The development is essential to extend the existing dining hall area to accommodate the current and future population of the academy.

“The works will have a minimal impact on the local area during the construction phase and will not impact on local traffic post the completion of the works.”

Braintree Council will decide on the plans.