OUTRAGED Whitton residents want the council to come clean over planned secondary school developments which they fear could mean the loss of their much love recreational ground.

Plans are afoot to refurbish and extend Heathfield Infants and Junior School, Powder Mill Lane, to make way for a large community school which will cater for infant, junior and secondary students.

The new school, to be called Whitton Community College, will share the Heathfield Recreation Ground which currently sits next to the Heathfield Schools with the public. The public would only have access during after-school hours.

Residents are angry that the ground is being taken away from them and say the large buildings would be an eyesore and increased amount of traffic along Powder Mill Lane would make it very dangerous for residents, particularly children.

They believe it will encourage out of borough children into Richmond upon Thames, something they have been told the council have tried to avoid doing in the past.

A second plan is to replace Whitton School on Percy Road with a new Catholic Secondary School.

Jane Hartley, a Powder Mill Lane resident, said: "We were told at an area consultation meeting in November that there would be no plans for any new schools until a second consultation meeting in January.

"Now over Christmas we have plans in the library for this new project. There hasn't been a letter drop by council informing them of the plans. So far there has been no signage posted warning of the plan.

"The consultation process has been really bad. We have until February 14th to submit our objections. Not too many people know what's going on.

"We are worried we are going to lose the use of the rec. I look out onto it and see children and dog walkers, it is always being used. Football matches are played on the ground on a regular basis."

Another resident of Cobbett Road, who does not wish to be named, said: "According to what I've seen on the plans I will be looking out my window and right in front will be a four storey building.

"I can't imagine what it would be like with the extra traffic and children around this area.

"We already have three secondary schools in the vicinity, there is Feltham, Heathland and Whitton schools."

A council spokesman said it was still early days in the progress of the plans.

He said: "The proposal will be subject to consultation as part of the Unitary Development Plan modification process. Residents have until February 14th to object or make representations of support.

"These will be considered by the council and ultimately at a public inquiry arranged for early July. Detailed plans for the proposals have not been drawn up at this stage. If the principle of the development is established, detailed plans would then be commissioned."