Residents’ tempers flared over parking uncertainties during a community forum to discuss controversial plans for a new all-ages school in Underhill.

Ark Pioneer academy trust is drawing up plans to build an all-through school for over 1,500 pupils on the site of Barnet FC’s former stadium grounds to submit to Barnet Council.

Labour councillors representing Underhill ward arranged a public forum at Rainbow Centre in Dollis Valley Drive which was attended by representatives from Ark and council officers for residents to ask questions and express worries last night (September 5).

The proposed school, targeted to open in 2018, drew apprehension from residents in Mays Lane, Grasvenor Avenue and surrounding streets, for fears it will lead to overwhelming problems with traffic in the mornings and evenings.

Helen Whitecross, who lives in Sherrards Way, said: “It’s a dangerous and busy junction as it is, the addition of such a massive school would mean residents are constantly plagued by noise and congestion.

“If they believe they can rely on people using public transport and other relief measures, Ark are mistaken – we had this a few times a week when Barnet FC used to play here and now it will be constant.”

Ark’s promise a 62-space car park would be adequate for avoiding overspill was met with laughter and jeering from the packed-in crowd of residents at the forum.

Project manager for Ark Charlie Fagan said: “We are looking to implement various traffic calming measures, utilising after-school activities to stagger departures through the evening and are confident our car park should be adequate for staff use.

“Obviously we have not yet submitted our planning application and when we do the proposal will go through various tests which will adapt it appropriately to the needs of the area.”

Council officers explained the need for school places in the borough of Barnet both at a primary and secondary level would be met by Ark’s proposal, which would serve the immediate and wider area.

Programme director for education and learning Val White said: “With primary schools we have to think locally as parents don’t want to send their children too far away but that scope widens at secondary when families prioritise other school attributes.

“We are satisfied Ark’s proposal for an all-through school serving nursery to sixth form will meet the requirements of Underhill, Barnet as a borough and the wider area.”

Residents insisted many schools in Underhill were undersubscribed and the school would be better served in High Barnet, which Ms White disputed.

Ark representatives were keen to stress to residents the trust’s track record with academies around the UK, having been ranked the highest performing multi-academy trust by the Department for Education.

Jack Newton, executive head teacher for Grasvenor Avenue infant school in Underhill, felt the focus of the meeting was not on the safety of the children as it should be.

He said: “I can’t dispute Ark’s record, it is commendable what they have done for disadvantaged children in their other schools, but they really have not considered the impact the new school would have.

“Not only will it cause traffic chaos, but it will result in massive crowds of children walking through the area every day and inevitably someone will get hurt or worse.

“At Grasvenor we have a walking bus but our school is nowhere near the size of this proposed one so the threat to our own pupils will also be increased.”

Public suggestions of building underground to increase parking space were tentatively dismissed due to budgetary limitations while other residents complained they were not properly informed about the plans prior to consultation.

It was revealed Ark had outsourced the distribution of 5,000 information leaflets to the surrounding homes and most residents remained unaware until proposals were reported in the Times Series.

Councillor Paul Edwards said: “Obviously something has gone wrong with the delivery if people have not received these leaflets, though we know Barnet has a troubled history with outsourcing services.”

The meeting closed with an informal vote on whether residents supported or opposed Ark’s plans as they stood, which resulted in a unanimous vote against.

While plans are not yet finalised, Ark hopes to submit an application to Barnet Council ‘soon enough’ at which point residents will be able to officially submit objections.