Less than a year after gaining planning permission as a one-form entry school Jubilee Primary announced it will apply again to take two forms of pupils in their first year.

The school, in Fant, was always clear it wanted a two-form entry system, totalling 420 pupils.

Under government rules it was allowed to open in 2014 and take this number, before getting planning permission.

When approval was given to change the use to Gatland House, a former NHS building in Gatland Lane, in November , Maidstone council was equally clear it felt this was too much.

A condition of permission was: “The maximum number of students enrolled shall not exceed 240 until the end of July 2022, when the current 2015-2016 Year R pupils leave, and shall not exceed 210 pupils from September 2022 onwards.

“There shall be no more than 30 pupils in any one year group, with the sole exception of the current Year R pupils admitted in 2015-2016 which shall be allowed to progress through the school.

The council said this was “in the interests of the amenity of the area”.

There had been strong local opposition because of traffic concerns, especially in Gatland Lane, but now the school has delivered a flyer to nearby homes advising the Education Funding Agency had developed an “exciting” extension for the school to include classrooms, a hall, library and play space for up to 420 children.

It said a new planning application would be submitted soon, and if passed, the school would be ready for two-form entry in September 2017.

Just three weeks ago, school trustees met ward councillors Matt Boughton (Con) and Keith Adkinson (Lab). Cllr Boughton said: “It seemed very positive, but they said nothing to us about submitting a new application. I’m very disappointed.”

Cllr Adkinson added: “They gave no indication they were about to do this. I’m shocked.

“The meeting was about the school rebuilding bridges with the community, but I’m afraid this is not going to help.”