GOVERNORS of Gravesend Grammar School for Girls have been told they will not have to replace new windows that cost more than £100,000 to install.

The saga of the school’s windows was resolved today when county councillors rejected the advice of their own planning chiefs and voted to give the school planning permission.

A planning mix-up by governors had left the school facing the prospect of ripping out windows put in only two years ago.

County planners told the governors they should have applied for planning permission, and then when they did, recommended the application be refused because the windows were poorly designed and out of keeping with the adjoining Conservation Area.

But members of KCC’s planning committee chose to ignore the advice of their officials and allowed the windows to stay put.

Some councillors complained that KCC was setting a precedent that meant others would ignore planning law.

Local county councillor Jane Cribbon (Lab) said: “If the application is approved, it will say to everyone else in Gravesham that they can do what they like.”

She hinted that even if KCC did give planning permission, Gravesham Borough Council might still consider other options such as taking enforcement action.

However, Cllr Mike Snelling (Con), a governor of the school, said common sense had prevailed.

He said: “The school is not a listed building and it is not in a Conservation Area. The school did not plough ahead – somebody took offence but there has not been a groundswell of public opinion against them.”

Planning committee vice chairman Cllr Fred Wood Bignall (Con) said he could see “nothing wrong” with the windows.