Supporters of a new school planned at Ebbsfleet Garden City have been left disappointed by news the project has been put on hold.

Hope Community School was due to open in Springhead Park in September 2018, with two forms of entry at reception providing 60 pupil places.

It was eventually hoped the school would provide 420 places, but that vision is now a long way off after The Department for Education decided the school would not open next year.

A statement from school providers New Generation Schools Trust said both the Department for Education and the trust had previously stated there was a need for more school places in the area - but that new research from Kent County Council had demonstrated there are sufficient places for Reception children in 2018 and onwards from then.

Chair of New Generation Schools Trust, Paul Weston, said: "Because demand for school places has changed significantly the Department has raised serious concerns about the need for and the ongoing financial viability of a school in this area. It is also not our intention to open a school in an area which would ultimately compromise the stability of other local schools. We understand the rationale behind the decision, although are naturally hugely disappointed after almost four years of hard work. We also realise this will be disappointing for many of the school’s supporters and we are aware of many parents who were depending on the school opening in 2018."

"We remain resolute on providing the children whom we have the privilege to serve with a high quality learning experiences and offering a new, alternative choice for Northfleet, as and when this is found to be needed.”

Adam Holloway, MP for Gravesham, said he was among those disappointed by the decision, adding: "The project team have been tireless in their efforts to complete the initial phase of the project and those of us who have been working hard to support them are deeply frustrated that we are unable to open in 2018.

"The school would have offered an alternative choice for families in Northfleet and had made good progress towards opening in September 2018. Obviously the demand for school places is a vital element in the approval and ongoing financial viability of the school and unfortunately data is now suggesting that the projected demand is no longer there. I would like to thank all at New Generation Schools Trust for their hard work to date and will continue to support their efforts to deliver a school on this site in the future.”