A group that previously wanted to set up a Christian school on Dover seafront is now applying to use the former Club Dover building at Whitfield.

Vic Hester, on behalf of the Dover School for All Nations, had asked the district council for planning permission to use a building at Waterloo Crescent – formerly the National Coal Board offices – for the school for a temporary period of three years while a permanent location was found.

Now a planning application has been submitted to use the former Dover Harbour Board social club on the Old Park site.

Starting with 30 students and 10 pre-school nursery children in January, the plan is to grow to 197 students and 55 pre-school children by 2018, with a total of 30 staff.

Students would have the chance to study for the International Certificate in Christian Education and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

The head teacher would be Terry Thorman, who has 30 years’ experience in education leadership and has been head of English departments for several state, private and independent schools, including Folkestone Grammar School for Girls, St Anselm’s RC School in Canterbury, the Marlowe Academy in Ramsgate and Sittingbourne Community College.