A campaign has been launched calling for a rethink on a decision to approve a new school car park entrance residents claim will cause disruption in a quiet cul-de-sac.

The £12m Woodbridge High School expansion plan to take an extra 300 pupils, agreed earlier this year, includes a new fitness centre for public use and car park to be accessed by a new gate at the end of Mallards Road, in Woodford Green.

The plan was passed despite a similar proposal being turned down in 2009 because of an "unacceptable increase in noise" in the street due to additional traffic.

Liberal Democrat councillor Gwyneth Deakins said the failure to mention the rejected application to the Regulatory Committee in February was “a clear breach of procedure”.

She said: “The regulatory committee report which recommended approval of Woodbridge School's application to enlarge their car park and create new entrances, failed to mention that an application for a very similar arrangement had been made and refused in 2009.

“I was promised an investigation into this but have heard nothing more. 

“It is not surprising that the residents are so upset. 

“I am not exactly impressed myself.”

Residents of Mallards Road, who have all signed a petition calling for an investigation into the plans, said their objections had been repeatedly ignored by Redbridge council.

Rick Mayston, 56, said he believed the road was not suitable for traffic.

He said: “Come school time the road is full of parents’ cars parking on both sides of our cul-de-sac and it can be difficult to get out.

“I worry about how emergency services will be able to get into the cul-de-sac if it is going to be blocked, there are many elderly people living here, the council doesn’t give a stuff about us.”

Aisling King, 41, said residents' concerns had been ignored.

She said: “We are not against the school expanding but this small road is not suitable for increased traffic, we have offered alternatives such as a ramp being installed in the current car park but the plan has just been rushed through.

“We bought houses here knowing schools shut by 5pm, not 9pm as will happen when this new fitness centre is built."

Assistant headteacher of Woodbridge High, Jeremy Clifton, has said the expansion "is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build new facilities" for the school.

Redbridge council has been contacted for comment.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Woodbridge High School

Woodbridge High School in Woodford Green.