Education bosses pitching plans for a major expansion to a secondary school have been warned not to underestimate the impact on local roads.

Last week's Gravesend Messenger revealed that more than 400 primary school places are set to be made available by turning St George’s Church of England School in Meadow Road, Gravesend, into two-form entry.

The proposal was agreed at Kent County Council’s education and young people’s services cabinet committee in February, but borough councillors convened at a regulatory board meeting last week to discuss the effect it would have on the surrounding community.

While in favour of the principle of the additional primary provision, councillors said they had “significant concerns”, particularly relating to the parking and access arrangements at the school, resident parking and traffic congestion.

At the end of the meeting it was noted that Gravesham council “does not consider that KCC has addressed the highway and parking impacts of the development on the surrounding community, the effect of which has been significantly underestimated”.

KCC wants to build a new two-storey building on the site to accommodate the younger children and complement it with a new car park, playground, floodlit artificial pitch and new access routes.

Planning documents reveal that 49 parking spaces would be provided on site, but only 27 would be reserved for primary school staff despite an intake of 38.

KCC wants the school to open next September, with an initial intake of 30 reception pupils to increase each year, reaching its capacity of 420 in 2030.

Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox (Lab), a borough councillor for Coldharbour ward, where the school is, described KCC’s stance as very disappointing.

He said: “I am not against there being a new primary school, far from it. In fact I welcome the additional investment in primary school places.

“However, I have raised many issues from local residents about the proposed parking and traffic arrangements in an already congested area.

“Twice now the regulatory board of Gravesham council has, while supporting the principle of a new primary school, unanimously voted to reject the proposals due to the proposed traffic, highways and parking issues not being addressed.

“The first time the council sent some helpful suggestions as to what KCC could alter to ensure that this works for the local community and I praise and commend the officers of the council and councillors for an excellent document.

“Instead of this being heeded by KCC, however, the borough council was merely sent a rebuttal note by way of answer.

“This went to the most recent regulatory board last Wednesday and was voted down again. Gravesham is merely consulted on this as schools are for KCC to decide.”

Last week a KCC spokesman insisted that the borough council’s concerns would be taken into account and that the need for more primary school places in the area was pressing.

The area is projected to be under pressure for primary places in the near future, with a deficit of reception places in the medium term without additional provision.

Regarding parking and access routes, the KCC spokesman said: “Within the plans for the provision, there is considerable allowance for parking and drop-off, which has been consulted on with KCC and Gravesham council planners and highways officers.

“We are planning to build a new access road into the site with on-street parking to assist with pick up and drop-off, which has been incorporated into the car park design.

“There are also plans to widen Westcott Avenue before the school reaches full capacity to help ease traffic flow.”

More than 1,000 pupils already go to the secondary school, including sixth formers.

The final decision on the primary provision will be made by KCC.