Concerns have been raised about the £25million relocation planned by Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School.

Headteacher Jane Robinson and governors are planning the move with a developer who owns a large area of farmland off Nackington Road which is designated for education use.

SJW Developments is offering to build the new school in exchange for gaining the existing 18 acre site in Old Dover Road where it would build hundreds of homes.

The land, opposite the Chaucer Hospital and Langton Boys’ School, is the same site where Canterbury College fought a bitter row with residents and environmentalists over its relocation plans. The college scheme ultimately failed in the High Court.

The school’s plans have been outlined in a letter to parents and pupils, which is also posted on the website.

But serious concerns about the scheme are already being raised.

KCC cabinet member for education, operations, resources and skills, Mark Dance said: “Our clear capital priorities for secondary schools are the Building Schools for the Future programme and the implementation of our Special School Review.

“Anything which puts pressure on these priorities is not seen as realistic at this time. “We have tried to look at ways of helping this scheme but it falls short by many millions that we simply do not have.”

City council chief executive Colin Carmichael also expressed reservations and said he thought the school and developer had been premature with their announcement and excitement.

•For full story, reaction and copy of the plans see this week’s Kentish Gazette