Representatives from a new school proposal were put through their paces as residents descended upon a local community centre to quiz them on their planning application.

Ark Schools' head of construction Hannah Peat, and regional director and principal of Ark John Keats in Enfield, Jerry Collins, had tough questions to answer as the people of the Underhill ward in Barnet came to the Rainbow Centre in Dollis Valley Way to put their views across on the new Ark Pioneer Academy, proposed to be built on the former Barnet FC stadium site.

Also in attendance were the three Underhill councillors, Tim Roberts, Paul Edwards and Jess Brayne, who each gave their position on the new proposal, or in Cllr Roberts' case, explained his requirement to remain neutral due to his position on the planning committee.

Cllr Brayne, while openly opposing the proposal along with Cllr Edwards, called on residents to be understanding of those who came to listen, ask questions or are supportive of the new school.

Giving her views, she said: "I feel it will have a very negative impact on the local community here with noise and air pollution.

"Given it was rejected last time I feel the school is trying to impose itself on a community."

After short introductions from the representatives, the floor was open to the residents, who did not hold back when putting the views across.

The first point from the floor was from Peter of Western Way, who felt the plans showed little consideration to the environment and negative effect on congestion.

He said: "I am concerned and I am one of the hundreds of people who have already objected to this.

"As far as I am concerned we have submitted our opposition so I think the discussion should be more about when you are going to remove this application."

The questions from there covered a range of topics, with a large part of the discussion focusing on concerns over traffic and congestion in the area.

But not all the voices were negative as in the case of one resident of Westcombe Drive said his concern was removing the "eyesore" of the Barnet FC stadium from his window.

He said: "The sooner someone gets rid of the football ground the better."

He continued saying people were mostly concerned about the greenbelt and the traffic, not the school itself, which many loudly disputed.

One person attending whose focus was squarely on education was principal of the nearby Totteridge Academy Chris Fairbairn, which he said is currently undersubscribed.

He questioned a projection that schools in the area will be full by 2019, which was cited by the representatives as a reason for needing the new school, saying that he could not believe his school, which currently has 40 fewer pupils in Year Eight than there is capacity for, would be full by that time.

He also mentioned the possibility for his school to expands as it sits on 29 acres which could be developed if the need for school places rises.

The statistics over necessary school places were disputed by a number of residents, as it was cited that by 2019, 14 forms of entry will be needed as all schools will be full by that time.

But residents felt other areas within the borough such as Colindale and Golders Green would be more appropriate after Cllr Edwards suggested their populations will be greatly increased by 2030, while the Underhill ward will likely see a decrease.

Overall, the majority of the voices at the meeting opposed the development, with reasons such as competition for other local schools, increased traffic and congestion, misuse of greenbelt land and a lack of necessity for the new school being their key points.

But it was a hard night for the Ark Pioneer Academy representatives, as some asked whether they could be trusted after seeing a lack of consultation with other local schools.

Mr Collins, at one stage, was met with great hostility after residents laughed as he called himself a "local resident", but later revealed he lived in North Finchley.

This meeting was fiery and passionate from all sides, with the representatives from the Ark Pioneer Academy wanting the people to know their aim to bring high quality education to children, and their focus on providing and meeting the needs of children in the area.

But the amount of opposition to these plans was tangible and this will likely continue all the way to the planning meeting in October, when the plans are given the go ahead or shown the door.