An “incensed” councillor has written in protest to Eric Pickles after plans for a controversial new primary school have taken a step forward.

Cllr Sue Wallace says the new school in her Folkestone district ward will lead to a loss of open space and increase traffic congestion.

Kent County Council’s planning applications committee last Wednesday agreed to refer the application to the Communities Secretary and, subject to his decision, grant planning permission.

Cllr Wallace told the Express: “I am quite incensed by this. I don’t think Kent County Council know what they are doing.”

KCC wants to build the school for up to 210 pupils, with a two-storey building, on St Mary’s Playing Field at the end of Warren Way.

Cllr Wallace, of Folkestone Harbour ward, said: “We already have nearly 500 pupils at St Mary’s Primary Academy nearby and 150 at St Peter’s Primary. We also have the Highfield Industrial Estate nearly.

"We already have too much traffic plus The Tram Road, which has had a number of damage accidents since it became two way this year.”

She added that more traffic pressure was expected by plans to build 40 houses at neighbouring Southern Way.”

Cllr Wallace said: “Also we will have a loss of open space where there are no other facilities in this ward for young people to play football.

“This will deprive the community of a recreation area, which has been used by many for years.

Shepway District Council planning members had unanimously voted against the scheme in August and a total 161 objection letters had been sent in by neighbours.

They also feared traffic snarl-ups and said that the Warren Way cul-de-sac is unsuitable as an access. KCC had argued that extra school places were needed in the area.

Its officers also did not believe that this scheme would caused significant harm in areas such as highways, noise and flooding or even through the loss of the playing field.

Folkestone Town Council did not object and Kent Highways also said they would not object if precautions were taken such as widening the internal access road and increasing space for drop-off and pick-up points.