A NEW row has broken out over fresh plans to build a new access road to a Colchester school.

For years, Philip Morant School has hoped for a new link road from Irvine Road into its grounds. The chosen route crosses a field known locally as the Green, which is a popular play area for local children.

The scheme was halted three years ago after neighbours objected and landower Colchester Council, refused to allow the road across the field.

Now the roadway could be back on the cards, as part of the school’s planned £1.6million expansion. The prospect has prompted the local residents’ association to criticise councillors, who they say are already backing the school’s plan.

Jeremy Lucas, county councillor for the area, is of those attacked in the Irvine Road Residents’ Association’s latest newsletter.

It says: “It seems clear to us, from the manner in which the options have been presented, Essex County Council is trying to head off any suggestion the road will not be built.

“These appear to be the opening shots in a campaign of intimidation to bully Colchester Council into granting easement and to slap down any dissent among the local community.”

The school already has planning permission to build a road across the corner of the county council-owned Irvine Road field and across the Green.

However Colchester Council has yet to agree to it as the landowner of part of the route.

A second option now put forward by the school would see the road start on the western side of the Green, run across a footpath and enter south-eastern corner of the school grounds.

Mr Lucas denies pre-judging the issue and said he had not decided whether to support either proposal.

He added: “It is being considered and that’s why Prettygate borough councillors and I put something in our own newsletter saying as much and asking for views.

“I am disappointed with the way the residents’ association newsletter has suggested I have already taken a viewpoint. I made it clear from the outset I had not yet decided what my view would be.”

Mr Lucas added he would be meeting colleagues in the next fortnight to discuss the matter and how the county council should respond.