Residents are concerned over the possibility a 600-bed student complex could be built on the site of a demolished school.

The Chaucer in Spring Lane, Canterbury, was bulldozed in 2019 after dwindling pupil numbers and falling standards forced it to close four years earlier.

Part of the site has since been replaced with Barton Manor School - but now the remaining “eyesore” land, which has a gross development value (GDV) of £23 million is being sold by Kent County Council (KCC).

The 4.2-acre plot is being marketed with the potential for a student housing scheme with 600 beds which has been “accepted in principle” by Canterbury City Council.

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Another suggestion is that a minimum of 70 homes could be built on the land, which KCC says is now “surplus to requirements”.

KentOnline spoke to Spring Lane residents yesterday about the proposals.

Sylvia Fridd said: “I would not be happy with student flats. We need more homes for our own people.

“That area should be used for something that will benefit people already living here.”

The 81-year-old admits the site is “an eyesore” but would prefer “affordable bungalows for the elderly or a few shops” to be built.

Barton Manor - a non-selective secondary and sixth form - opened in place of The Chaucer in September 2022.

The remainder of the site is made up of grass, trees and some redundant basketball courts.

Another neighbour who has concerns about the scheme is college student Abigail Dear, who lives opposite.

“I feel like something for the community would be better there,” she told KentOnline.

“A park or something like that for kids - something to help bring people together.

“Housing would be OK too. I mean there are houses for sure but there could always be more.”

The 17-year-old is a keen gardener and worries that student flats could block the sunlight.

“We like to plant things in the front garden and I feel like that would ruin it,” she said.

“I’m not too worried about it though. If there was noise I think it would be something we could handle.

“There are elderly people around here though who wouldn’t enjoy it if they re-develop the site.”

Peter Day also lives at home nearby and is at university.

The 23-year-old said: “There’s already enough student housing.

“We’ve got a couple of houses for them round there and there’s the whole blocks of halls. Why would they want to build another one?”

He says he would prefer to see affordable housing on the land.

Mr Day added: “We already have a problem with students parking their cars out the front of our house.”

Estate agents for the sale, Knight Frank LLP, say the site was allocated for residential development in the draft 2020 Canterbury District Local Plan.

They add: “The site benefits from a positive pre-application response for a residential-led scheme for a minimum of 70 residential homes, to include 30% affordable housing.

“Following discussions with Canterbury County Council [sic], a student housing scheme for 600 spaces has been accepted in principle.”

A KCC spokesman said: “The site of the former Chaucer School has been declared surplus to requirements and is being sold in line with KCC’s policy and statutory responsibilities.

“A guide price has not been stated and interested parties are asked to make offers.”

In a separate comment to BTR News, KCC’s disposal, acquisition and investment surveyor Niral Patel is quoted as saying: “We are pleased to have appointed Knight Frank to commence marketing on this rare and prominent development opportunity in Canterbury.

“The pre-application supports residential development for the site but alternatively could provide some much-needed student accommodation within Canterbury.”

Barton Manor has been approached for comment.