Plans for a new secondary school in Ashford have been given the green light despite concerns the road network for it is “lethal”.

Chilmington Green Secondary School will become part of the masterplan to build 5,750 homes and four primary schools, creating more than 1,000 jobs.

The school will be able to take 900 pupils between Year 7 and 11 and 240 sixth-formers - but when it opens it will have only 180 pupils.

It will be built in Chilmington Green Road, off the A28 Ashford Road, which has become notorious for rush-hour traffic and uneven surfaces.

As part of the plans, access to Chilmington Green Road from the A28 will be closed to traffic permanently by September 2023.

This is designed to encourage drivers to access the school from a new route.

A new road called The Avenue will connect to a roundabout where the A28 meets Sandy Lane.

However, Singleton parish council had concerns about whether the new road would be completed in time for when the school opened, currently estimated as being by 2023.

At an Ashford Borough Council planning meeting councillors raised concerns about the roads, particularly Chilmington Green Road, but said they were unable to do anything about it.

Cllr Linda Harman (Ashford Independent) described the Chilmington Green Road as “lethal” while Cllr Neil Shorter (Cons) said: “I spoke out against the shutting of access between Chilmington Green Road onto the A28 at the time.

“The concept of farm traffic coming down through The Avenue to get onto Chilmington Green, I just find that unbelievable honestly.

“The estate roads will not cope with large tractors and combine harvesters. I just feel for the residents nearby. But that boat has sailed.

“I just want to reinforce the message that KCC Highways need to be absolutely sure the road width and surfaces can take the traffic.

“Having said that Chilmington Green Road is in a shocking state, it pitches and wallows all over the place. That road doesn’t lend itself to children biking to school.”

Despite councillors' concerns, KCC Highways had no objections to the proposal.

While other members were generally supportive of the school, stressing that Ashford was generally in need of one, Cllr Jessamy Blanford (Con) said improvements could still be made.

“This has been designated for a secondary school since the early days of Chilmington and this is very important for residents," he said.

“It’s quite an imposing building and I find the frontage rather dull, I think it’s disappointing it isn’t a bit brighter.

“The access from the main roundabout into Chilmington along The Avenue comes out alongside the primary school already there.

“I have a horrible feeling of secondary pupils trying to get to school while primary parents are dropping their children off at the same time. It looks like a nightmare to me.”

Other features at the school include two football pitches, a rugby pitch and a running track.

The school will also be Net Zero Carbon (NZC) and, when full, will employ about 120 full-time teaching staff.

Some councillors suggested the school could include a cricket pitch, swimming pool, or even a large clock on the front of the building but the suggestions were not taken up.

Cllr William Howard (Cons) said: “Half the things we are talking about I’m sure the school will implement anyway.

“The field, and that’s what it is, can also probably fit in a cricket pitch. I’m sure the head of PE will be perfectly happy to buy some cricket equipment.

“Only one school in the town has a swimming pool and I’m sure the Stour Centre would sign an agreement to set up some classes.”

The school was approved with 11 councillors in favour and one against.