A NEW school on the outskirts of Worcester could be given the green light as soon as next month.

Worcestershire County Council has submitted plans for a high school to be built at Earls Court Farm, Bromyard Road.

It would replace Christopher Whitehead High School in St John's, which Tesco hopes to demolish.

Notices of the planning application have been put up around the proposed site.

It states that the council wants to build an 11-16 nine-form entry high school, including playing fields, access and car parking.

But residents and other people who have opposed the plans in the past say they are angry that the application is proceeding.

"If this goes ahead it will be a massive change in our lifestyle," said Sean Brown, whose home is on the doorstep of the proposed school.

"I'll have 1,400 children at the bottom of my drive.

"My judgement is very biased but I don't care. There's no point in hiding the fact that I don't want the school next to my home."

Protection

The plans include four different sports fields, as well as tennis courts, woodland and a newt protection area.

The council will also widen Bromyard Road to ease traffic congestion.

Worcestershire County Councillor Richard Udall, who represents the St John's ward, says the site is not ideal as it is out of the city.

"Parents fearful about their children's safety will revert to taking their children to school by car," said Coun Udall.

"This will further gridlock the area forcing cars to rat-run through the Dines Green estate.

"All local and informed opinion suggests that this is a very poor and ill-informed proposal.

"Local residents have proven to be no push-over. They will fight, fight and fight again to prevent this."

The planning and regulatory committee will discuss the plans at their meeting in June.

No date has yet been fixed.

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