Controversial plans for a new school building for special needs children in Upper Norwood have been given the green light.

Residents in Upper Norwood said they had no objection to the redevelopment of Priory School building, but said the proposed building design for the school in Hermitage Road, was not in keeping with the area.

At a Strategic Planning Committee meeting last Thursday, committee members heard the single storey building would become three storeys high.

Opposing residents also expressed concerns about plans to remove 18 trees, in land owned by Virgo Fidelis school, which will create a road to a new housing development which has already been granted planning permission.

Ward Councillor Pat Ryan ,urged committee members to defer the decision pending a site visit.

He said: "The design of the new building is unacceptable. I urge you to make a site visit and this decision be deferred."

But the plans were narrowly voted in, with four councillors approving the application compared to three who voted to defer the decision.