CHURCHILL Academy’s plans to expand its sixth form centre were dealt a blow this week after the parish council recommended refusal until parking issues were resolved.

Four new classrooms would be built as part of the �250,000 development, which was unveiled last month.

But Churchill Parish Council has raised concerns over the scheme which it fears will increase current parking problems in lanes near the school.

Headteacher Barry Wratten said the ‘modest’ development on the 15-year-old sixth form centre was needed with the number of A-level students set to rise from its current 260 pupils.

He said: “In this cash-strapped time it is always nice to be able to successfully apply for extra resources.

“Putting money which is aimed to support children learning, pay for books and IT equipment, into a car park, is the first issue we have.”

He added that the school is trying to encourage people to be more environmentally-friendly and building a car park would send out the wrong message

Alan Brown, who sits on the parish council, said: “We have every sympathy with the school. If you spend �50,000 on putting tarmac down for parking that is one-and-a-half teachers gone at today’s rates.”

But he added something had to be done first about the car park to prevent residents from suffering. The parish council can only recommend a decision to North Somerset Council which has the final say.