PLANS to convert a Mill Hill garden centre into a new Jewish free school were criticised by residents at a public exhibition this week.

Residents had the chance to view the plans which could see Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School take over the site currently used by Wyevale Garden Centre in Daws Lane.

But for the site to be used as a school, planning permission for change of use and alterations is required.

Etz Chaim is scheduled to be one of the first free schools to open in September under the Government’s plans to give parents more input on their children’s education.

However, several people who attended the exhibition said another school was not needed in the area and expressed concerns about the garden centre’s closure.

Pat and Len Longuet, residents in Mill Hill since 1966, said: “The centre has been a God send to a lot of people in the community, but it could be swept away for a school which just isn’t needed or necessary.”

The current planning application proposes to convert the existing buildings to provide eight classrooms, an on-site car park for staff, a low wall at the front of the school and retention of the existing access for vehicles.

The school has stated it would have a capacity of 222 including a nursery for 26 children. All nursery children would live within 0.7 miles of the school and all reception children within 1.1 miles. It also said it believed 80 per cent of pupils would walk to school.

Mill Hill resident, Jean Gaffin said: “It’s unrealistic to think so many young children will walk to school and that parents will not drive their kids, especially when they’ve got to get to work in the morning.”

She added: “I just think it’s an inappropriate place to put a school and it’s going to cause even more traffic chaos in the area, increase pollution and have an effect on public transport.”

However, Jeff Weston who has lived in Mill Hill for 13 years said: “Any additional educational establishment can only be a positive asset to the community.

“There are plenty of garden centres around but there’s not enough schools and people have got to remember the school would only generate traffic at certain times of the day.”

Eleven sites with existing buildings in the area were shortlisted for the plans but were rejected for either being too small or large, too expensive, not being available in the short term or because they had poor access.

The site in Daws Lane was selected as the preferred location because it can be converted to educational use, the area to the rear of the building can be used for a play area and it is located adjacent to bus routes.

A planning application will be submitted to Barnet Council in early April. Prior to its submission, residents are invited to comment on the proposals by writing to the council’s planning department.