PLANS to a build a new staff car park at an Andover school have been approved, despite fears the area will become a “sea of concrete” and magnet for yobs.

Hampshire County Council wants to construct it on land north of Icknield School on River Way to create an extra 18 spaces.

A planning application, lodged with Test Valley Borough Council seeking an extension to the existing staff parking area for the school, was approved by borough councillors earlier this month.

At present, the existing car park is used by the school minibuses and the only staff with spaces are the head and deputy, leaving other workers to park in the surrounding roads.

The application also states that the car park will be available for resident use via a ticket/permit system when the school is not in use.

‘Vandalism and noise nuisance’ But the scheme has sparked fury among residents of nearby Tyne Court, with several strongly- worded letters of objection lodged with TVBC.

They argue a bigger car park “would turn the existing estate area into a sea of concrete” and could “become a congregation area for teenagers and less desirable people to hang about in late at night causing vandalism and noise nuisance”.

They claim the school is growing “out of all proportion to its available land area and needs to be relocated”.

Residents also argued there is already sufficient parking in the grounds of the Swallow pub next door to the school, as well as on River Way, and labelled the school’s staff “lazy”.

But a report written by a borough council case officer, presented to members of the Northern Area Planning Committee on August 6, stated: “The proposed application is considered acceptable as it responds positively to the character and appearance of the surrounding townscape.

“The need for formalised parking for the school within this area is acknowledged.”

What do you think? E-mail your views to mike.sims@ andoveradvertiser.co.uk