The design of a school earmarked for Sheppey has been slammed in a report as “soulless and uninspiring”.

Minster Parish Council (MPC) also claimed the visual impact of the 420-pupil primary destined for Thistle Hill Estate would be detrimental to the surrounding environment.

The two-form school was granted planning permission by Kent County Council on Thursday and is due to be complete and operational by September 2015.

MPC chairman Ken Ingleton expressed his disappointment at the new building’s look.

He said: “It’s very square and bland.

“Since we initially spoke to KCC, they’ve made some changes to it.

“It’s got brick panels on the side, which is more interesting, but it’s going to have a flat roof which is not in keeping with the other buildings in the area.”

Thistle Hill is one of five primary schools being built in the county with a £31 million award from the Department for Education’s Targeted Basic Need scheme.

KCC said the money will also be used to expand 14 other sites in Kent, including Iwade primary and Tunstall Primary School in Sittingbourne.

In a statement last year, it said it had applied for a grant for 26 projects and was successful with 19 of them.

It said it was also working with 50 other schools “where there is demand for more places for students”.

In its 2012-17 plan for education provision, KCC highlighted a need for more school places on Sheppey due to the scale of the Thistle Hill development.

In declaring his support for the new primary, Mr Ingleton said: “We welcome the fact a school is being provided, because there’s a need for more schools in the area.

“The view of all parish council members is that the design should be something children take pride in and encourages them to learn.”