Neighbours of a school fear more disruption following the planned opening of a new sixth form unit.

Residents of Ashford’s Essella Road, say they suffered three years of disruption from The North School’s refurbishment.

Now they fear the same with the new unit because there are not enough spaces for students’ cars.

Margaret Haywood, secretary of the East Stour Community Forum residents’ association, said: “If the car park isn’t big enough they will use Essella Road. This is what happened during the re-construction, causing mayhem for everybody.”

There are expected to be 40 parking spaces for an eventual 160 students.

The new sixth form centre is expected to open next September.

ESCF is discussing the matter at its next meeting on March 25.

Kent County Council says it has consulted on the proposal and while it was widely supported concerns about parking were also taken seriously.

Head teacher Lesley Ellis said: “We take our responsibility to be a good neighbour very seriously and we have agreed to work with local residents to ensure that we resolve parking issues before they arise.”

Mrs Ellis stressed that not all students would have a car.

Full story in Thursday's Kentish Express