CONCERNED residents will have a chance to discuss their worries about a new primary and secondary school due to be built in Underhill at a public meeting.

The Department for Education purchased Barnet FC’s old Underhill Stadium for an academy school and ARK Pioneer Academy trust will submit plans to the London Borough of Barnet in autumn.

Underhill councillors have organised a public meeting so local residents can hear about the plans and raise any concerns at 7pm on 5 September at the Rainbow Centre in Dollis Valley Drive.

Representatives from ARK have been invited to answer questions and council officers will also attend to provide background on school places in Barnet.

Underhill Labour councillor Jess Brayne said: “Many residents are extremely concerned about the impact this school would have on parking and traffic in the surrounding streets and wider area.

“This meeting is an opportunity for ARK and council officers to hear first-hand from residents about those concerns.

“If this school is to be built it must be an asset to the local community, employing local staff, providing opportunities for all young people in the area, and meeting the infrastructure needs to support it.”

Though Underhill ward is represented solely by Labour councillors, the controlling Conservative group at Barnet Council agreed there was a need for the public forum.

Leader of the council Cllr Richard Cornelius said: “It is important that local residents are able to discuss ARK's plans with them and ask any questions they have.

“The council has invested £116m to help create almost 8,000 new school places across the borough since 2010 and recognises the need for further places going forward.

“That being said, each proposed new school must be judged on its own merits, via the planning process, with due consideration given to any concerns raised by the local residents."

ARK, which also runs schools in Enfield and Brent, were due to open the Underhill site in 2017 but this was delayed to September 2018 due to “complexities” around buying the site.

It is expected to start with Reception and Year 7 groups and will eventually hold 1,800 pupils aged four to 18, as well as a nursery.

Residents unable to attend can email their concerns and questions to office@barnetlabour.org.uk.