PLANS for a new leisure centre at Stansted Mountfitchet High School were due to be approved by Uttlesford District Council this week, despite concerns about development in the area's Green Belt.

School bosses want to build a 33.5square metre leisure centre at the school, featuring a sports hall, fitness gym, studio, creche and changing facilities.

Council planners said the development adhered to the "very special circumstances" required to justify a new development in the Green Belt.

The circumstances include the need to provide leisure facilities in the growing village of Stansted, and the benefit to the community of combining a school and leisure centre. There is also no other suitable site available outside the Green Belt in which to build the centre.

To date, no representations have been received about the planning application, although Stansted Parish Council has asked that "detailed but sensitive landscaping with maintenance" is incorporated in the plans.

About 100 car spaces will be provided, to be shared by the school and leisure centre visitors.

Planners have recommended that the plans be approved once noise, landscaping and lighting conditions are met. They also want to restrict use of the centre to between 7am and 10pm.