A controversial move to develop the Surbiton Hospital site into a health centre and primary school has split a community.

More than 50 opponents crammed in to watch the plans be given the green light on Thursday, March 4.

But the decision has left a rift in the community – with opponents who claim residents will face a catalogue of problems on one side, and parents who are desperate for a new school on the other.

After the meeting, a detailed model of the site was pushed over and damaged.

At the meeting concerns were raised about traffic, parking, over development and damage to the Oakhill conservation area.

Representatives from the Oakhill and District Residents’ Association said the removal of 43 trees would reduce biodiversity, opposed the demolition of the Victorian Elmside building and questioned evidence used for transport planning.

Stephen Glands said: “If your projections are wrong there will be a huge impact on residents. It will affect patients and staff, teachers and residents. It is a huge risk to take without any evidence.”

However, parent Paul Cheatle said Surbiton needed a new primary school, and defended a school travel plan aiming for only 10 per cent of students to come by car.

He said: “My three-year-old son Thomas needs a school. It would be too much hassle to get in a car. All I want is for my little boy to walk to school, just as I did.”

Councillors split on party lines, with Liberal Democrats outvoting Conservative opponents.

The healthcare centre, designed to include up to eight GP practices, outpatients, a pharmacy and 82 parking spaces, will open between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week.

The primary school, with a 420-pupil capacity and four normal and two disabled parking spaces, is due to open in September 2012.

At the development control meeting Ian Nixon, project director for Kingston Council and Kingston Primary Care Trust, said the plans were modified following residents’ feedback, and would regenerate a piece of underused public land.

However, Councillor David Cunningham said: “I believe if this was a planning application from a developer it would be turned down without a doubt.

“To talk about having four spaces for staff in a school is absolutely ridiculous. I can’t see how with these cul-de-sacs this will not end up in a gridlock situation two times a day.”

Councillors also heard a business case for changing bus routes to accommodate the development would be considered during the first two years of the development.

The application will now be referred to the Greater London Authority for approval.