A consultation is being launched over plans to expand Branfil Primary School in Upminster.

The expansion would add an extra reception call from September 2013 and a new 15-classroom block would also be built.

The plans have met with strong opposition from people living near the school.

Andrew Stannett, from nearby Lime Avenue, said: “The traffic is bad enough as it is, more people would turn what is a barely tolerable situation into a completely intolerable one.

“There’s an issue whether the extension is justified. If they can prove the places are needed there are other ways of doing what they’ve got to do.”

Police have been called to Cedar Avenue, the residential road used for access to the school, on several occasions to solve driving and parking disputes.

Havering council says the borough must provide more school places because of an increase in the birth rate in 2006/7.

Councillor Paul Rochford, cabinet member for children and learning, said: “We want to continue to provide first-class education facilities for local families to give children the best possible start in life.

“Branfil Primary School is already a popular school in the local community and we also know it’s an area where we will need additional places in the near future.

“This would be a fantastic opportunity for the school to benefit from upgraded facilities, as well as give more local schoolchildren the opportunity to attend this school.”

Two public meetings about the proposal will take place on Tuesday July 3 at 7.30pm, and Thursday July 5 at 3.30pm at Branfil Primary School.

A planning application for the extension is underway and the consultation starts on Monday.

It can be found online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/BranfilPrimaryExpansionProposal.

Hard copies can be picked up from Branfil Primary School or by calling 01708 434 186.

The consultation will run until Friday 13 July.