PLANS for a £5million primary school which have divided two communities have been approved.

The 420-place New Braiswick Academy, in Apprentice Drive, is set to open in September next year, after it was approved by Essex County Council.

Residents who live on two streets next to the site packed out a meeting of the council’s development and regulation committee, which voted through the plans.

They fear their roads will be turned into rat runs.

The school will be accessed via Apprentice Drive, on the New Braiswick Park estate, and traffic will leave via Fernlea, a cul-de-sac off Bergholt Road.

Mike Withers, of Fernlea Residents’ Action Group, told councillors the link road through Fernlea will cause irreparable damage to residents.

A traffic assessment estimated 157 cars would visit the school during the morning and afternoon school runs – more than tripling traffic levels.

Mr Withers said: “We strongly suspect pursuit of this site is finance driven.”

Alan Beasley, of Apprentice Drive Residents’ Committee, said the entry and exit routes were preferred by residents because the traffic impact would be shared.

However, he said Apprentice Drive narrowed to a 16ft bottleneck close to the school access point. He said parents picking up and dropping off children will park on Apprentice Drive and the surrounding roads, making access for emergency vehicles impossible.

He doubted many pupils would walk or cycle to the school, despite the council suggesting a significant number would.

Ray Gooding, county councillor responsible for education, said the school was needed because Colchester’s schools are oversubscribed.

He said: “We have a number of children who cannot gain entry to their nearest school and have to be moved around by taxi and bus.”

Andrew Smith, chief executive of the Learning Pathways Trust, which will sponsor the academy, said the school will encourage parents to leave their cars at home.

The access road will only be open during the school run and will be controlled by barriers to prevent other traffic using it as a through route.

The school is expected to create 52 jobs.

Funding for the twostorey building, which will have 14 classrooms, came from both the Government and county council, with the Government contributing £4.2million, and council £800,000.