Neighbours fear a “concrete jungle” is coming if Rydens Enterprise School and Sixth Form College gets the go ahead for its expansion plans.

A public consultation took place on Monday, September 15, to discuss the school’s proposal to purchase a small piece of land off Hersham Road from the council, to create a new access way to the site.

However, people were more concerned with the effect the whole proposal, to demolish and completely rebuild its school and sixth form by selling playing fields for 296 houses, would have on the surrounding area.

A person living in Thistlecroft Road, who did not wish to be named, said: “Firstly, I didn’t receive a notice about this meeting. Secondly, I’d like to know that if we are having 296 houses here, is Rydens going to be big enough for all those children in a few years’ time and where are those children going to go at junior school time?

“Thirdly, it’s great for the school because they have got a new school at no cost to themselves, but the cost is to the residents with increased congestion and a concrete jungle in their back yard.”

The problem of extra traffic was a huge concern for people in the Hersham Road area, who feel “it’s clogged up already”.

Ian Mackenzie, bursar for RES, said: “The development we’re proposing will count towards Elmbridge’s housing target. So in that sense, I think the demand is already factored in.

“We really have tried to keep people fully engaged with that we are up to.”

A Hersham Road resident, who lives near the current school entrance, said: “I’m beginning to think this is a done deal.”

She said she believed the development was a good thing for the school, but asked: “Does it have to be a whole new town?”

Gethin Parry, estates surveyor for Elmbridge Council, said “it is absolutely not a done deal” and stressed the proposal still had to make its way through a planning sub-committee at Elmbridge Council.

Mr Mackenzie spoke of the efforts taken with the architects to create buildings that will have a positive effect on the area and said: “We are not only designing a new school, but a new community.”

Worries the pitches at Coronation Recreation Ground, Molesey Road, would be affected were appeased when RES representatives confirmed they would not touch those pitches because the school has plans to let out its own pitches at the weekend for local use.

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “A lot of people down the Coronation Rec way are concerned that if they do rent out those playing fields, they are going to have 24/7 floodlights.

“I know someone who moved house already as they are worried about the outcome.”